Cops allegedly find IEDs, pipe bombs, weapons at Kurrajong property

Police say the ‘potential for a catastrophe’ has been averted after they arrested a man and seized an arsenal of weapons and explosives at a property northwest of Sydney.

A man will face court after cops say they found 40 firearms and more than 250 kilograms of explosive material at a property at Kurrajong.

Officers searched a property at Bells Line of Road and allegedly found seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs), seven pipe bombs, thousands of rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest, 250kg of Ammonium nitrate and various other chemicals.

They also allegedly found an arsenal of weapons including six firearm silencers, five electronic stun devices, three extendable batons, three OC spray devices and 77 knives.

Around 250kg of explosive material was seized along with weapons, police say.

Literature and restricted publications about making explosives and the homemade manufacture of firearms were also allegedly found at the property, where the man was allegedly working alone at the back of a farm.

Earlier this month, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad launched an investigation after receiving information relating to the manufacture and importation of prohibited firearms.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered a property northwest of Sydney which was allegedly being used to store significant amounts of illicit explosive material and numerous prohibited weapons.

Police say 77 knives were also seized.

They searched the Kurrajong address just after 11am on Wednesday.

Investigators were assisted throughout the operation by specialist police attached to the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Chemical Operations Team, North West Metropolitan Region Operations Support Group, Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command, as well as Fire & Rescue NSW HAZMAT and NSW Ambulance.

Pipe bombs and IEDs were also taken away by police

More of the knives taken away from the property

After the alleged haul of explosives and weapons was seized a crime scene was established.

The Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Team continue to process the site.

All items seized during the operation will undergo further forensic examination.

A 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to Windsor Police Station where he was charged with six offences, including possess more than three unregistered firearms including a prohibited pistol, manufacturing firearms without licence or permit, three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and custody of knife in public place - first offence.

He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday.

Police remain at the property as investigations continue.

Drug and Firearms Squad commander Detective Superintendent John Watson said there was no suggestion the man had links to terrorist organisations but alleged there was an “alarming’’ number of items seized.

Some of the other items found by police.

Ammunition found at the property.

“There’s no suggestion there was no attack imminent or anything else,’’ he said.

“From the volume of material that is there it is quite apparent that he has been (allegedly) amassing all these things over a period of time.’’

The man is due to appear before Penrith Court.

Simon Mitchell Clay was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday afternoon.

He did not appear via audio-visual link and his lawyer, Christopher Hammond, said he was “not required on screen”.

In court documents police allege Clay had manufactured five homemade firearms with steel piping and triggers and that they were capable of firing a single shotgun projectile.

Police also alleged in court documents he had a Horton brand crossbow, multiple firearm silencers, one can of oleoresin capsicum spray and 11 firearms, three of which were pistols.

The documents also alleged he had a knife in a public place on Grosevale Road in Grosevale on the same day of his arrest.

“I have spoken to him, his mother and father,” Mr Hammond said. “We ask for matters to be adjourned until Wednesday at which point a release application may be lodged.”

Magistrate James Gibson agreed to put the matter over until next week.

He said: “There is no application for release today, it is refused. The matter is stood over till Wednesday next week for release application.”

Det Supt Watson alleged the “matter posed significant (potential) risk to this individual, his family but also the community at large”.

“The potential for a catastrophic event has been averted through the seizure and arrest of this particular person,’’ he alleged.

“We haven’t made a seizure like this before in terms of detonation cords and detonators and with 250kg of explosive material there is a real serious potential there for something to happen.

“There is no question this is significant. It is definitely of concern that this individual was there, we’re fortunate that we’ve made these arrests and we’re fortunate that we’ve definitely seized all this.’’