NSW Police uncover guns, bullets, grenade in multiple raids
A collection of American and European rifles, a grenade and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been uncovered in a major police sting in Sydney and parts of NSW.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Man injured after Sydney brothel robbed at knifepoint
- Jewellery heist could be linked to group crime spree
A collection of American and European rifles, a rusty grenade and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been uncovered in a major police sting in Sydney and parts of NSW.
Police have arrested seven men and two women after several firearms were taken during raids on properties at Hornsby, Windsor, Woy Woy, Dubbo, Wallaga Lake, Oberon, Gosford and Fairfield.
Detectives found a huge stash of guns - including a Hungarian 35M, a Japanese Arisaka and an American Hawken rifle - many of which police allege were stolen.
“Over the past three months investigators have arrested nine people, seven men and two women across the state,” Detective Superintendent John Watson told reporters at NSW Police Headquarters today.
They have all been charged with offences including supplying firearms to persons unauthorised to possess it.
“During the investigation police seized 17 firearms including rifles, shotguns, shortened firearms and a pistol, firearms parts, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and inert grenades,” Detective Supt Watson said.
“The syndicate was significant in that these people were acting in concert together and selling firearms together right across the state,” he said.
Det Supt Watson alleged it was clear the group intended to sell the firearms for profit.
He called for rural property owners to ensure their guns are stored “properly”.
“Also, keep the keys away from the safe itself… make it as difficult as you can for these criminals if they’re going to break into homes,” he said.
When asked how the firearms were sold, he said: “The matter is before the court. In this particular case they were (allegedly) being sold among the organised criminal groups.”
Michael Thomas Ingram, from Thornleigh, appeared in Fairfield Local Court today charged with charged with supply firearm to a person unauthorized to possess it.
Police allege the 41-year-old sold a 12-gauge Boito brand shotgun to Mr (Brendon) Gray on October 20, 2019, the court heard.
“The (police) facts reveal within the space of about 4.5 hours, this 12-gauge shotgun was sold on two separate occasions for $2200 and $3000, by a defendant who was unlicenced to hold or sell a firearm to a person who was unlicenced to hold or sell a firearm,” Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis said.
The sales were made at a “site” in Gosford and in a carpark in West Gosford, the magistrate said.
“The prosecution’s case relies in part of indirect evidence, text messages and the like,” he said. “Whatever the case, it seems to be a relatively strong prosecution case.”
He recognised that Ingram suffered from epilepsy and was the sole carer of a teenager.
However, he said Ingram endangered the safety of the community, could commit a serious offence and could interfere with witnesses and evidence.
Ingram was refused bail and the matter was adjourned to January 31 at Gosford Local Court with the other co-accused defendants.
Police will allege nine of the 17 firearms were stolen from rural premises.
A 34-year-old man from Koolewong was arrested on November 7 and charged with 22 offences including using and supplying stolen firearms; breaking and entering; supplying and giving ammunition to unauthorised persons; and manufacturing firearms without a permit.
Police will allege that the man supplied firearms on eight occasions, and firearms parts on three occasions, to another man between March and October 2019, receiving more than $58,000 for the transactions.
He appeared at Hornsby Local Court on the same day, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 31 January 2020.
A 22-year-old woman was also arrested in Woy Woy last November and charged with supplying prohibited firearms and ammunition offences.
She appeared at Gosford Local Court last November and will reappear on January 31.
A 20-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman were also arrested in Dubbo.
Police expected to make more arrests.