Casino: John Paul Snitch granted bail following raid on Drake property

Specialist police units, including the heavily-armed tactical operations group, seized firearms, ammunition, and cannabis during a dramatic raid on a Northern Rivers property, as a man faces multiple gun and drug charges.

Items allegedly seized during a search warrant on a Drake property on June 17, 2025. John Paul Snitch, 56, was later arrested in Casino. Picture: NSW Police.

A Northern Rivers man allegedly busted with guns, ammo, and drugs has been released on bail.

John Paul Snitch is facing multiple gun and drug charges after specialist police from the tactical operations group joined local officers, Polair, region enforcement squad members, and rural crime investigators during a search warrant at a property in Drake on June 18.

Police attended the Mudflat Rd property at 10.30am as part of an ongoing investigation.

They allegedly seized firearms, ammunition, cannabis, police overalls, and electronics.

Snitch, 56, appeared in custody via audiovisual link in Casino and Lismore local courts due to a magistrate conflict in early July.

Items allegedly seized during a search warrant on a Drake property on June 17, 2025. John Paul Snitch, 56, was later arrested in Casino. Picture: NSW Police.

He faces 13 charges, including four counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, and two counts of not keeping a firearm safely.

He is also charged with possessing ammunition without a licence, supplying a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited drug, and possessing suspected stolen goods.

Snitch was granted strict conditional bail at Lismore Local Court while facing multiple gun and drugs charges.

During his appearance before Magistrate Michael Dakin at Lismore local court, Snitch was granted bail on the condition he report to Casino Police Station three times a week.

He put up $3000 surety and is required to surrender any passports, reside at his local address in Drake, abstain from alcohol and drugs and comply with random drug or alcohol tests.

He is also forbidden from possessing more than one mobile phone service and SIM card.

Snitch is due to reappear in Casino local court on August 21.

Originally published as Casino: John Paul Snitch granted bail following raid on Drake property