Michael Brown: ex-Army man charged with making illegal explosives in Picton

An ex-army employee has been charged with making illegal explosives after the bomb squad was called to a rural property on the outskirts of Sydney.

An ex-army employee has been charged with making illegal explosives after he was arrested at his Picton home.

Michael Timothy Brown, 54, appeared in Moss Vale Local Court via video link on Wednesday after being charged with possessing unauthorised prohibited firearm, and possessing, supplying or making explosive for unlawful purpose.

The Picton resident, who is a former Australian Defence Force employee, was arrested at around 9am on Tuesday morning after an investigation by Camden police and the Australian Federal Police into the illegal importation of prohibited firearms and explosives.

Police established a crime scene at the unit on Argyle St in Picton where he was arrested, and at a second location on Wild St.

Police arrested Michael Timothy Brown at his home in Picton on Tuesday morning. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Police allege they found chemicals at both locations and seized equipment including a rotary evaporator, heating mantle and glassware, as well as liquids and acids including fuming nitric acid. Police will allege they found the flammable explosive Omni Gel in Mr Brown’s possession.

Officers attached to the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Squad also removed detonator charger casings and an AR-15 automatic firearm (believed to be a gel blaster) from the residence.

Police will seek assistance from the State Crime Command Chemical Operations, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Squad, and NSW Fire and Rescue Hazmat to forensically analyse all of the items found.

The court heard there was another search conducted by police on Wednesday morning, with further searches likely to occur over the next few days.

Police confirmed Mr Brown is connected with a number of properties which will be raided for chemical paraphernalia, with assistance from Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command units.

The police prosecutor called the alleged findings a “potential stockpile” and said further charges may be laid against Mr Brown.

The court heard the ex-army member is currently on a commonwealth bond and requires “psychological intervention”.

Police searched two properties in Picton related to Michael Timothy Brown. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

His lawyer Fiona Kay told the court Mr Brown has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, for which he was being treated at a Southern Highlands cancer centre.

Ms Kay told the court his medication hadn’t been provided to him, but didn’t seek to apply for bail due to the “serious nature of the charges”.

Magistrate Mark Douglass ordered a mental health assessment for Mr Brown and adjourned the matter until August 10.

The police prosecutor said there has been no suggestion that anyone else has been involved in these alleged offences. A statement from police also reassured Picton residents no ongoing threat to the community had been uncovered.