Police arrest 14 on 63 charges after raids in Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast
Police have arrested 14 people on more than 60 charges following a mammoth investigation into illegal guns involving raids and vehicle checks across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay. See the video.
Police & Courts
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Fourteen people have been arrested after police conducted raids as part of a three-day operation to investigate alleged illegal guns in the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast.
Police arrested 14 people on 63 charges and seized 12 firearms during Operation Whiskey Skyfall.
The operation began in July to investigate the movement of firearms from the Wide Bay Burnett into the Sunshine Coast.
In a statement, police say they have targeted several key alleged offenders that are believed to be unlicensed weapons holders or involved in firearm theft, modification and supply, as well as drug supply and property offences.
From September 2 to 4, police conducted 11 search warrants at properties in Southside, Gympie, Mothar Mountain, Monkland, Veteran, Kybong, Crohamhurst, Kings Beach, Pacific Paradise, Landsborough and the Glass House Mountains.
Police seized 12 firearms, including single- and double-barrel shotguns, some of which were allegedly stolen.
Police also seized 11 major firearm parts, three restricted weapons, ammunition and a quantity of methamphetamine, cannabis, MDMA, GHB and oxycodone.
Officers from the Sunshine Coast tactical crime squad, Wide Bay Burnett tactical crime squad and Gympie CIB worked with the drug and serious crime group and dog squad to conduct search warrants across the three-day operation.
The 14 people arrested on 63 charges included a 45-year-old Curra man charged with six counts of unlawful possession of weapon (category A, B or M), and one count each of receiving tainted property firearm/ammunition and authority required to possess explosives.
He is due to appear in the Caloundra Magistrates Court on October 24.
A 49-year-old Caloundra man was charged with six counts of unlawful possession of weapon (category A, B or M), and one count each of receiving tainted property firearm/ammunition, possess utensils or pipes etc for use, possessing dangerous drugs and authority required to posses explosives.
He is due to appear in the Caloundra Magistrates Court on October 24.
A 30-year-old Gympie man was charged with four counts of unlawful possession of weapons (category A and B), two counts of receiving tainted property, and one count each of contravene order for access, possessing/acquiring restricted item, supply dangerous drugs, ammunition, possess things and possess property used in a crime.
He was remanded in custody and was due to reappear in the Gympie Magistrates Court on September 30.
North Coast regional crime co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian said they were encouraging results and the operation was ongoing.
“Operation Whiskey Skyfall commenced with a three-day tactical operation but moving forward, it will be a multi-level approach, also focusing on education and firearm compliance and security,” Detective Superintendent Fadian said.
He said police were working with licensed weapons holders to educate them about safe firearms and preventing the theft of firearms.
“We’re also appealing to licensed weapons holders to contact police if they have any information regarding unlicensed weapons holders, or anyone that illegally modifies or sells firearms,” Det Spdt Fadian said.
“We know that, for some, stealing and selling firearms is a commercial business but this is a crime and we will continue to detect, deter and disrupt this illegal activity.
“Operation Whiskey Skyfall aims to stop the movement and unlawful possession of firearms in our community.”
He said police would use information from the community as investigations continued.
“Each firearm and piece of ammunition seized is one less weapon on the streets with the potential to harm our community.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers.
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