Police rescue young kangaroos, seize guns and ammo
A police blitz on crime in rural areas netted a surprising catch - a stash of guns, ammunition and two young kangaroo joeys. Coffs police were part of Operation Devil Ark.
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Knuckle dusters, firearms, a machete and two kangaroo joeys have been seized in a special police operation dubbed ‘Devil Ark’ involving officers from the local Coffs/Clarence command.
The four-day crackdown saw police check livestock carriers and hunting vehicles.
Operation Devil Ark was driven by the Rural Crime Prevention Team with the assistance of officers from Richmond, Coffs Clarence, Mid North Coast, Manning/Great Lakes and Oxley police districts.
The blitz from Thursday to Monday targeted illegal hunting, trespassing, and stock movements.
The dragnet moved through a number of rural areas including Ellerston, Barrington Tops, Nundle, Nowendoc, Murrurundi, Willow Tree and Timor.
Twenty-seven livestock carrier inspections and 26 hunting vehicle stops were undertaken.
Incidents of note included:
* Officers stopped a 27-year-old man at Gundy, north of Muswellbrook, on Saturday afternoon after he was allegedly found to be with two young joeys unlawfully obtained.
Police searched the man’s vehicle and allegedly located ammunition and firearms, which were seized for forensic examination. The joeys were taken to a wildlife care centre, where they are receiving treatment.
The man was arrested, and his firearm licence was suspended. He was released a short time later pending further inquiries.
* On Sunday night officers stopped a car at Murrurundi, north of Scone, where police allegedly found a machete and knuckle dusters during a vehicle search.
The items were seized and a 19-year-old man was issued with a future court attendance notice for custody of knife in public place and possess prohibited weapon.
Operation Devil Ark saw a number of previously unreported crimes raised with police, including alleged livestock and property theft, and ongoing incidents of illegal hunting.
Anyone with information about rural crime, can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333-000 or online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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