Bizarre find in police raid could be deadly weapon

Police conducting a raid have found what at first appears to be a phone but what is potentially concealing a firearm.

What appears to be a phone/gun hybrid was seized by Western Australia Police during two raids on properties in the Mandurah area on February 15.

Gang Crime Squad officers executed search warrants at homes on Cassinia St, Baldivis and Bellingham Pde, Wellard, allegedly uncovering a “drug distribution station containing 1.03kg of cocaine and 163g of MDMA.

At first it appears to be an ordinary, if chunky, mobile phone …

They also seized 41 anabolic steroid (oxymetholone) tablets, $115k in cash, live ammunition, two flick knives, a belt with a concealed knife, and what at first appeared to be a mobile phone, but was discovered can be folded to create a “replica firearm”.

Police said ballistic testing is underway to determine if the weapon can indeed be fired as a gun.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in the car park of Mandurah Central Shopping Centre on Saturday, with a search of his car allegedly turning up 58g of methamphetamine and more than $1000 cash.

… but it folds out to reveal a trigger mechanism. Ballistic testing is underway to see if it can really be used as a gun.

He’s been charged with 11 offences, including possessing stolen property, possessing a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine, possess unlicensed firearm and property laundering.

He’s been refused bail, to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday.

A 25-year-old Wellard woman has also been charged with possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply cocaine and MDMA, and appeared in a Rockingham court on Monday.