Substation was target of right-wing terror plot, police say

An alleged right-wing terrorist ­arrested a day before the first ­anniversary of the Christchurch attacks was allegedly trying to acquire weapons.

An alleged right-wing terrorist ­arrested a day before the first ­anniversary of the Christchurch attacks was allegedly trying to acquire weapons and canvassing targets, including an electricity substation.

Joshua Lucas, 21, was arrested by police from the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team on Saturday following a raid on the NSW south coast property he shared with his parents.

His arrest came two weeks after ASIO director-general Mike Burgess warned of a spike in right-wing extremism.

Police seized three paintball guns from his home at Sanctuary Point, near Nowra, as well as ­tactical equipment and electronic devices.

In a separate raid, police searched the property of an ­associate of Mr Lucas, seizing four registered firearms.

“What we know is this person had anti-government sentiment, he was anti-Semitic, he has neo-Nazi interests and he has anti-­indigenous interests,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said.

The investigation began in February following a series of online posts expressing extreme ideology.

Although there was no ­immediate threat, police became alarmed at an escalation in ­online activity.

That, combined with the ­anniversary of the Christchurch attack, convinced police to act.

Police alleged Mr Lucas had made plans for a number of “low capability” attacks, including an attack on an electrical substation on the south coast in a bid to sow chaos.