Matthew James Wilcox, Kane Donoghue charged during investigation into alleged gun black market across Port Macquarie

A police strike force set up to investigate an increasing number of gun thefts has conducted a series of raids, making arrests and allegedly seizing firearm parts and drugs.

Raptor Squad officers make an arrest during raids under Strike Force Strike Force Racewyn, established to investigate the alleged theft of firearms from regional properties in the Port Macquarie area. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives investigating the black market gun trade have made three arrests and allegedly seized stolen firearm parts, ammunition, drugs and a tool used to remove gun serial numbers during a three-day operation across the mid-north coast.

The state’s drug and firearms squad established Strike Force Racewyn in May following the theft of guns from regional properties in the Port Macquarie area, including six long-arms from a landholder at Redbank, near Wauchope.

The investigation included the state’s Raptor Squad being called in to execute six firearm prohibition order compliance checks at Wauchope, Laurieton, Port Macquarie, Bomaderry, West Kempsey and Glebe between Tuesday and Thursday.

During the searches, detectives allegedly seized a tool used to remove firearm serial numbers, a crossbow, firearm parts that police believe belong to stolen guns, electronic devices, a taser, firearm ammunition, shot gun cartridges, a rifle bag and more than 1.6kg of cannabis.

On Tuesday, 20-year-old Kane Donoghue was arrested at a West Kempsey property, while 21-year-old Matthew James Wilcox was taken into custody when he arrived at Kempsey police station.

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives seized a range of items. Picture: NSW Police

Firearm parts allegedly seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

Donoghue was charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possessing ammunition without holding a licence, permit or authority, firing a firearm in or near a public place, and contravening an apprehended violence order.

He was granted strict conditional bail when he faced Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday, including daily reporting to police and an acceptable person agreeing to forfeit $500 if he failed to comply.

A man is taken into Kempsey police station after his arrest by drug and firearm squad detectives. Picture: NSW Police

Wilcox was charged with six counts of stealing a firearm or imitation firearm in relation to the alleged raid on the Redbank property in May.

He was also charged with supplying a firearm to a person unauthorised to possess it, entering a dwelling with intent to steal, possessing an unregistered firearm or prohibited firearm, and not keeping a firearm safely.

Wilcox unsuccessfully applied for bail when he faced Kempsey Local Court on Tuesday and was formally remanded in custody to reappear next week.

Detectives also executed a search warrant on a Wauchope property on Wednesday, allegedly seizing shotgun cartridges.

Shotguns shells allegedly seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

Police also allegedly seized 1.6kg of cannabis. Picture: NSW Police

The occupant, a 27-year-old man, was arrested and issued a court attendance notice for allegedly possessing the ammunition. He will appear in court at a later date.

The drug and firearms squad commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said these seizures should serve as a reminder to all firearms holders to secure their guns.

“The majority of these firearms were allegedly stolen from vacant properties in the Port Macquarie area, with the majority from unsecure properties,” he said.

“It’s vital for the safety of the NSW community that firearm owners secure their weapons, especially if they are away from their property for a long period of time.”

Investigations under Strike Force Racewyn continue.