Raptor Squad charge Finks bikie Jackson John Rye with firearm and drug offences after raids at Beresfield and Branxton
Raptor Squad detectives allege a Finks bikie gang member had sold multiple firearms, including rifles and shotguns, following an investigation into the black market gun trade.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A member of the Finks bikie gang has been refused bail after allegedly selling multiple firearms on the black market.
Jackson John Rye, 30, is facing 15 charges after being dramatically arrested during a morning raid on a home at Beresfield, near Maitland, on Wednesday.
Raptor Squad North officers stormed the Greville St home about 8.10am and took the patched member into custody before taking him to Maitland police station.
Rye was later charged with three counts of supplying a firearm not inspect prescribed documents, three counts of supplying firearm not inspect prescribed documents, three counts of possessing a prohibited drug, two counts of possessing or attempting to possess a prescribed restricted substance, two counts of supplying firearm to person unauthorised to possess it and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime less than $5000.
He faced Maitland Local Court on Wednesday where he was not required to enter a plea.
Magistrate Ron Maiden refused Rye bail and remanded him in custody to reappear on September 11.
Shortly after the Beresfield raid, Raptor North officers executed a search warrant on an East Branxton address.
“During the search Raptor Squad officers located and seized a Glock firearm, a taser, a baton, knuckle dusters, ecstasy tablets, six vials of steroids and over $2000 cash,” police said in a statement.
“Officers arrested a 19-year-old man at the property – after he allegedly attempted to flee and hide from police in the home – before taking him to Cessnock police station.”
The 19-year-old man, Cayden Pearce, was charged with three counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, three counts of possessing or attempting to possess an anabolic or androgenic steroidal agent, and one count each of acquiring a firearm no licence/permit not pistol/prohibited firearm, possessing an unauthorised pistol, supplying a prohibited drug and dealing with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000.
The teen is not alleged to have an affiliation with a bikie gang.
Pearce faced Cessnock Local Court on Thursday where he was not required to enter any pleas and was refused bail to appear in Singleton Local Court on September 5.
Police said the arrests came after the Raptor Squad launched an investigation earlier this month into the alleged sale of multiple guns.
“Police will allege in court that the older man sold multiple firearms including rifles and shotguns and that the younger man purchased one of these firearms recently,” police said in a statement.
Investigations are continuing.
Bikie’s tighty whitey drug stash uncovered after dunny assault
A fight night bathroom assault at a Newcastle club led cops to the home of a nominee Nomads bikie, where officers then uncovered drugs and cash, some of which was stashed in his undies.
Passenger’s alleged undies package worth $400k on the street
Police allege it was the odd driving along a tiny suburban lane a few hours after midnight which first raised their eyebrows, before some questions got their full attention – 250g of ice stuffed down a passenger’s pants.