Police seize rifles and handguns in Far North firearm blitz
A police crackdown on illegal firearms including raids on properties throughout Far North Queensland has resulted in the seizure of 18 unlicensed or unregistered weapons. Watch the video.
Cairns
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A police crackdown on illegal firearms including raids on properties throughout the Far North has resulted in the seizure of 18 unlicensed and unregistered weapons.
Officers from the Criminal Intelligence Command’s Firearms and Cannabis team seized a total of 18 firearms, including rifles and handguns during Operation Whiskey Legion’s Far North deployment.
On October 1, police conducted an audit of a licenced firearms holder at Parramatta Park.
Two rifles and two handguns were seized from a 71-year-old owner, whose firearms licence had expired.
Since the operation launched on September 25, police have conducted 24 weapons audits, identifying about 500 firearms around Cairns and the Tablelands.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Parsons said licenced firearms holders were being reminded to ensure their weapons are stored appropriately.
“We encourage that firearms holders lock their firearms up very securely, and ensure they leave keys out of place and not in the same room as their firearms are being stored,” Sergeant Parsons said.
“There is no place for firearm related violence in the Far North Queensland community, so people should contact Crime Stoppers or the local police if they have concerns about firearms.”
The firearm blitz coincided with the arrest of a 14-year-old boy on Saturday who police allege was carrying an illegal rifle across the McEwen St footbridge in Mooroobool.
Police also allege the boy and his associate were pictured in social media posts later in the evening with the rifle and sword in a public place as well as in a vehicle.
Since Operation Whiskey Legion launched in the Far North on September 25, 193 people have been arrested on 357 charges, including 166 adults on 291 offences and 27 young people on 66 offences.
The operation is continuing in the Far North.
Originally published as Police seize rifles and handguns in Far North firearm blitz
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