Andrew Heta James Whittall charged over alleged illegal gun stash

A man has been arrested following a multi-pronged police raid on a farm tucked away west of Gympie where a massive haul of illegal weapons and drugs was allegedly stashed. Watch the video:

Police have charged a 45-year-old man over an alleged arsenal of illegal weapons seized in a raid on a property at Kilkivan, west of Gympie.

Andrew Heta James Whittall was arrested and charged following the June 29 raid carried out by Kilkivan and Gympie police, the Wide Bay Burnett Tactical Crime Squad, Maryborough Dog Squad, and the Public Response Safety Team.

A statement from police said that during a search of the property on Blacksnake Road, several shotguns were found, along with rifles, pistols, firearm parts, ammunition, a mace, drug utensils, chemicals and a stolen Queensland firearms licence.

Andrew Heta James Whittall was charged with unlawful possession of ten or more weapons, unlawful possession of weapons category M, possessing relevant substances, authority required to possess explosives (ammunition), failure to dispose of a needle and syringe, and receiving tainted property.

“It is concerning that this man was allegedly in possession of a significant quantity of unlicensed firearms,” Gympie Patrol Group Chief Inspector Mike Miley said in the statement.

“It is concerning that this man was allegedly in possession of a significant quantity of unlicensed firearms,” Gympie Patrol Group Chief Inspector Mike Miley said.

Mr Whittall was charged with multiple offences including unlawful possession of 10 or more weapons, unlawful possession of weapons category M, possessing relevant substances, authority required to possess explosives (ammunition), failure to dispose of a needle and syringe, and receiving tainted property.

Andrew Heta James Whittall was charged with unlawful possession of ten or more weapons, unlawful possession of weapons category M, possessing relevant substances, authority required to possess explosives (ammunition), failure to dispose of a needle and syringe, and receiving tainted property.

He is due to appear at Gympie Magistrates Court on July 3.