Man, 62, allegedly found with multiple firearms, cannabis in Acacia Hills raid
A Northern Territory man who had his firearms license revoked in 2019 has been found in possession of multiple firearms including a semiautomatic rifle and other illegal items, police allege.
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A man who had his firearms license revoked in 2019 has allegedly been been found in possession of multiple firearms including a semiautomatic rifle and other illegal items.
The man, 62, was charged with Possess/use Category B firearm while unlicensed; Possess ammunition without a licence; Possess unregistered firearm; and Possess less than trafficable quantity of a Schedule 2 dangerous drug.
He was also given a $4950 infringement notice by the Australian Border Force (ABF), police say.
The man will appear in the Darwin Local Court on July 15.
It comes after Australian Border Force officers at the Sydney Gateway Facility allegedly intercepted a firearms silencer on April 13 that was addressed to his Acacia Hills home.
According to police, the man was a known person of interest, having his firearms license revoked in 2019.
The NT Police Firearms Audit and Enforcement team and the Australian Border Force then searched the 56-hectare property under section 119AA of the Police Administration Act.
The man was arrested at the scene, police say.
Police further allege that it found a number of firearms and ammunition after the ABF deployed its firearms and detection dogs.
Police allegedly seized: a Mini Ruger 14 .223 semiautomatic rifle with two 30-round magazines, concealed under a couch; a Ruger M77 .300 Win Mag bolt-action rifle hidden within shed pylons; multiple boxes of live ammunition and spent shell casings; a night-vision thermal weapon sight and multiple firearm scopes; firearm cleaning equipment.
Police also allege there was evidence of a makeshift shooting range beneath a veranda.
Police further allege that it found three grams of cannabis during the search.
“Following the discovery of cannabis, a section 120B search warrant was executed in addition to the initial 119AA search,” NT Police said.
Police said Search and Rescue Section (SRS) and Territory Support Division officers conducted a detailed grid search of the surrounding bushland confirming no additional weapons were there.
Australian Border Force commander Tracie Griffin said people should remember that any weapons or parts that are purchased overseas have to come across the border, and warned “that’s where our highly trained officers, detector dogs and cutting-edge X-ray technology are deployed”.
“In the wrong hands, these weapons could be deadly,” he said.
“If we detect them at the border, we will seize them and where appropriate prosecute those trying to bring them in illegally.
“Shooters and firearm enthusiasts importing firearms, firearm parts or other weapons online should be very clear about the regulations in place.
“Anyone attempting to import prohibited weapons, including firearm parts, runs the risk of losing those goods and facing criminal prosecution.”
Importing firearms without a permit is a serious offence with penalties including imprisonment for up to ten years and/or fines of up to $525,000.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms or related activity is urged to contact police on 131 444.
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Originally published as Man, 62, allegedly found with multiple firearms, cannabis in Acacia Hills raid
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