Michael Gregory Franklin charged with making and selling guns

A Gold Coast man accused of participating in a gun manufacturing syndicate alongside a former Australian Federal Police officer and selling a submachine gun has been named.

Officers made three arrests. Picture: NSW Police

A Gold Coast man accused of manufacturing illegal firearms alongside a former federal police officer has been remanded in custody after being extradited to NSW.

Michael Gregory Franklin, 43, of Burleigh Heads was brought before Magistrate Jeff Linden in Lismore Local Court on Thursday.

Franklin faces multiple charges after two other men, including a former Australian Federal Police officer, were also charged with the alleged production of firearms and drug supply in Shellharbour, south of Wollongong.

He was charged with four counts of prohibited firearm supply, giving ammunition to an unauthorised person, unlawfully selling firearms three times or more within 12 months, and possessing more than three unregistered firearms.

Franklin was also charged with indictable drug supply and large commercial drug supply.

Further charges include participating in a criminal group and driving while disqualified.

Franklin was arrested in Queensland on April 2, with assistance of Queensland Police Task Force Maxima under direction from NSW State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad South.

Police seized a number of items. Picture: NSW Police

Documents tendered to Lismore Local Court reveal that on January 23, Franklin allegedly supplied a prohibited homemade .22 Ruger rifle and ammunition without proper authorisation.

On February 3, he is accused of supplying 1.49g of MDMA and ammunition to an unauthorised individual.

Later, on February 12, Franklin allegedly supplied 701.80g of MDMA, exceeding the large commercial quantity threshold.

On March 10, Franklin reportedly supplied a homemade 9mm Parabellum submachine gun and ammunition without a license.

Guns were seized during the raid. Picture: NSW Police

About 6am on March 31, police will allege Franklin supplied an automatic submachine gun and ammunition without authorisation.

Police will allege between January 23 and March 31, Franklin participated in a criminal group and unlawfully sold firearms on multiple occasions, and further that he possessed more than three unregistered firearms during this period.

Franklin is yet to enter pleas.

He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by Mr Linden.

Franklin is scheduled to reappear via audiovisual link for committal at Port Kembla Local Court on June 18.

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