Corey Boyd: Seven drugs, weapons charges laid against Arakoon man after

A second man charged as part of police raids on organised criminal activity sweeping the Mid-North Coast has faced court on seven drug and weapon charges.

A 23-year-old man arrested as part of a proactive police investigation into organised criminal activity on the Mid-North Coast has faced court on seven drug and weapon offences.

Corey Boyd, of Arakoon near South West Rocks, had seven matters for drugs and weapons possession listed at Kempsey Local Court today, before they were swiftly adjourned to July 26 for plea or mention.

Mr Boyd was arrested at his home in Arakoon in June by officers from the Raptor Squad who were conducting an Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapons Prohibition Order (WPO) along the Mid-North Coast.

Raptor Squad investigators have seized nine firearms and charged 10 people. Pics NSW Police

Police allege Mr Boyd was in possession of a knuckle duster, steroids, 11 grams of cannabis and 4.8 grams of cocaine when they arrested him on June 24.

He was charged with four prohibited drug offences, one possession of a prohibited weapon, one possession of restricted substance and one possession of an anabolic steroid or agent.

His court appearance at Kempsey follows an earlier appearance by a man at Port Macquarie Local Court, who was charged during the same operation.

Kenneth James Maher, 47, is facing two charges of possess prescribed restricted substance and possess prohibited drug.

Both men are on strict conditional bail.

Guns seized during the June searches. Pic NSW Police

Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein, said the week-long operation in conducted in June is one of many proactive strategies being implemented by officers to ensure public safety.

“Raptor to Squad has been working diligently to continue building on strategies suppress public acts of violence and target organised crime groups,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“In light of recent events – where good, innocent people have been put in danger – these high-impact operations are just one tool in our arsenal against violent criminal groups.

Five members of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members where arrested. Pic NSW Police

“Raptor Squad will continue these operations, with assistant from specialist police and officers across the state, to ensure the safety of the community and to bring those allegedly involved in illicit activity to justice,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

He said investigations by Raptor Squad are continuing.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009, before becoming a stand-alone squad in 2021.

Raptor Squad conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist the Raptor Squad can report it directly to investigators via their online reporting page or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.