Hundreds of NSW DV offenders arrested in hardline cop raids, weapons cache uncovered

More than 500 of NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders have been arrested in a four-day operation which uncovered a number of terrifying weapons.

More than 500 of NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders have been arrested in a four-day police operation, which also uncovered a number of disturbing weapons.

Knives, swords, nunchucks, crossbows, knuckledusters, arrows, pistols and a rifle were among the items seized in last week’s Operation Amarok VII raids. 

Officers arrested 551 people in the statewide operation with more than 642 charges laid against the perpetrators. 

Police conducted two significant raids on Wednesday morning that led to the discovery of a range of weapons and drugs at properties in Annandale and Karabar.

Just after 7am on Wednesday, officers searched a property in Annandale and found five pairs of knuckledusters, a crossbow and arrow, three sets of nun-chucks, a slingshot, a flick knife, a stun gun, extendable baton and prohibited drugs believed to be MDMA and ecstasy. 

Police seized a crossbow at one of the properties. Picture: NSW Police

The occupant of the home – a 37-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station, where he was refused bail and appeared in Downing Centre Local Court the same day.

Less than an hour later, police searched a property in Karabar near Queanbeyan to conduct a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search and AVO compliance check.

A firearm seized during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

More firearms uncovered by police in the operation. Picture: NSW Police

Police located a 28-year-old man hiding under clothing and bedding in a bedroom. 

Officers also seized an unregistered 0.22 calibre loaded firearm and a small amount of illicit drugs believed to be methylamphetamine. 

The man was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station where he was charged with contravening prohibition/restriction in AVO, possessing an unregistered firearm, not keeping the firearm safe, possessing ammunition, and breaching bail conditions. 

He appeared at Queanbeyan Local Court on Thursday. 

Officers locating several swords and other weapons. Picture: NSW Police

Another sword located by detectives. Picture: NSW Police

In addition to the 551 arrests made during the four-day blitz, police attended over 120 schools and spoke to more than 10,000 students to deliver presentations on respectful relationships and coercive control.

Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said educating the next generation was just as important as locking up the offenders.

A knife seized during the crackdown. Picture: NSW Police

“While the operational results under Operation Amarok are crucial to our fight against domestic and family violence, so too is preventing the problem in the first place,” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.

“This Operation Amarok we had a focus on getting into schools and in front of students to educate them about the various issues that lead to people becoming domestic offenders.

Nunchucks. Picture: NSW Police

“Kids are our future and teaching them about domestic violence early gives them the power to break the cycle.”

Mr Thurtell also said the high number of arrests was not the only measure of the operation’s success.

A rifle taken into police custody. Picture: NSW Police

“While the intent of Amarok is to ensure we hold our most serious domestic violence offenders to account, prevention of domestic violence crimes is our key aim.

“Our officers conducted thousands of interactions with both victims and perpetrators across the state, ensuring police remain highly visible and offenders know they are never out of our sights.

“It is also important to note that all officers, both specialist police and those attached to PAC and PDs, focus on domestic violence prevention and engagement every single day.

“In the 2023/24 financial year, this work saw the NSW Police Force charge 32,744 people for domestic violence offences and conduct almost 118,000 ADVO compliance checks.”

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