Man charged as cops find huge haul of 700 guns
A man who police allege regularly sold guns to criminals at gun shows has been charged after police found over 700 guns at the property where he was living.
NSW
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A man who allegedly sold modified weapons including a rocket launcher is facing 28 charges after police raided an old country pub and found 700 guns in an "Aladdin's cave".
Ray Burt, 69, was arrested on Tuesday at The Marra, northwest of Dubbo, following a two-year investigation into criminal activity across NSW looking into people allegedly connected to the Comancheros, Rebels and Brothers 4 Life gangs.
Shortly after Burt's arrest, police seized more than 700 firearms, including 11 unregistered guns, in the basement of the old pub building where he was living in Nyngan.
NSW Police Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow said it was one of the largest firearm seizures in the state’s history and likened the pub’s basement to “Alladin’s cave.”
“This is one of the largest … it’s certainly significant,” he said.
“It's for want of a better description Aladdin's cave – wall to wall firearms, swords, knives, knuckledusters, ballistic vests, - incredibly dangerous weapons.
“It’s quite staggering. It’s hard to fathom why anyone would need these many weapons. What’s of serious concern … was that this was a licenced firearms dealer who has (allegedly) manipulated and betrayed the system.”
Burt, who is a registered gun dealer, is accused of selling a number of prohibited weapons, unregistered firearms and ammunition.
It is not alleged he is a member of an outlaw bikie gang.
His firearms dealer licence has now been suspended and he was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court later today after being charged with 28 offences.
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Police will allege he sold firearms on a regular basis - including sometimes at gun shows and fairs to people including criminals.
“What we've identified clearly is there's a large black market in firearms and other dangerous weapons within NSW and extending to other states,” Detective Superintendent Critchlow said.
“NSW is a much safe placer as a result of this operation – many more people can sleep safely knowing these firearms are not in the wrong hands.”