More than 820 guns seized in underworld gun trade raids

Police have seized hundreds of deadly firearms and arrested three underworld figures as part of a major crackdown on bikie activity.

Police have seized hundreds of deadly firearms and arrested at least three bikie associates as part of a major crackdown on the Australian underworld gun trade.

The week-long National Anti-Gangs Squad operation involved the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police and Australian Border Force.

It saw 23 properties raided and more than 820 firearms seized nationwide.

A 33-year-old senior associate of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang from Coolamon — 40km north west of Wagga Wagga — was among 38 people arrested as part of the sweep, which marked one of the biggest crackdowns on the underworld gun trade in two years.

Hundreds of firearms were seizedin the major police operation. Picture: ABF

Police will allege in court the senior member of the OMCG attempted to import prohibited firearms parts.

During the arrest police seized ammunition, a baton, firearms documentation, cash, a “STOP POLICE” sign, various OMCG paraphernalia and cannabis plants.

The man was charged with drug and illegal gun possession and granted conditional bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday, May 19.

The strike force — named Operation Athena — was part of a national week of action which ran from March 15-21 targeting bikie groups involved in the gun trade, as well as those possessing guns without a licence.

Paraphenailia from the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Items from the Rebels. Source: NSW Police

Hand guns, rifles and shotguns with a street value of up to $15,000 each were among the firearms seized in the operation.

National chair of Operation Athena, Detective Superintendent John Watson from the NSW Police Drug and Firearms Squad said the operation was aimed at stamping out the illegal firearm trade in Australia.

“Operation Athena not only focuses on disrupting illegal activity, but also encourages licenced firearms holders to store guns safely and securely to help police reduce the risk of guns being stolen and diverted into the illegal market,” he said.

“Firearms compliance and regulation is vital to limiting the ability of organised criminal networks such as OMCGs to place the community in danger through their public acts of violence.

Australian Border Force Acting Commander Nicholas Walker said the organisation was monitoring the international drug trade to ensure guns aren’t imported without a permit.

“Firearms, parts or accessories are highly restricted due to their potential to be used to inflict great harm on our community and they cannot be imported without a permit,” Acting Commander Walker said.

“The ABF has ramped up its border intelligence capability in recent years, working closely with agencies here in Australia and overseas to build a global web of information about those buying and selling illicit firearms and firearm parts.”

The last time an operation of this scale occurred was in 2019, when more than 400 firearms were seized by authorities.