Major raid on Tasmanian gun stashes

A secret stash of firearms has been uncovered in raids on two properties in the state’s south. See inside the operation.

Australian Border Force and Tasmania Police seize multiple firearms located on properties in Southern Tasmania. Picture: Tasmania Police

A secret stash of firearms has been uncovered in raids on two properties in the state’s south.

The firearms were seized by police and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on Monday and Tuesday last week.

One property contained seven guns, including four gel blaster replica firearms.

A man was charged with several offences including possessing unregistered firearms without a licence and mailing firearms, firearm parts and ammunition into Tasmania.

Police also located 12 guns at another property, including ten gel blaster replica firearms and ammunition.

Several firearms were located on two properties in southern Tasmania. Picture: Tasmania Police

A separate man was charged with various offences including possessing unregistered firearms and ammunition without a licence and cultivating and possessing one kilogram worth of cannabis.

The Tasmanian arrests were a part of a nationwide police sting targeting illegal firearms, dubbed Operation Athena.

Police arrested 86 people, seized 523 firearms and executed 103 search warrants in co-ordinated strikes across the country between October 23 and October 29.

While traditional firearms continue to pose the biggest issue for authorities, almost 10 per cent of all guns seized across Australia during the sting were gel blasters.

Almost 10 per cent of all guns seized during the sting were gel blasters. Picture: Tasmania Police

ABF Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale said a big concern is how similar gel blasters appear to real guns.

“Gel blasters are of significant concern given they can look identical to the real handguns, shotguns or even rifles,” Assistant Commissioner Dale said.

“The colours and size of these gel blasters make it very difficult for anyone to tell the difference between a toy and the real firearm itself.

“ABF and its Federal and State and Territory law enforcement partners will continue to target people who attempt to import firearms, parts or accessories such as silencers into Australia without a proper permit.”

Authorities arrested more than 80 people across Australia as a part of Operation Athena. Picture: Tasmania Police

National chair of the operation Detective Superintendent John Watson said the week’s operations helped determine what guns and which individuals they need to focus on in the future.

“Our firearms licence holders are, for the most part, very compliant, lawful, and do so (hold firearms) with a genuine purpose, but there are still some people operating outside of the law,” Detective Superintendent Watson said.

“We as a nation are getting better at collaborating, sharing intelligence and launching investigations, so as the intelligence comes in we can all respond.

“These operations are all about informing our next five to ten years of investigations.

“With a number of people now bail refused and before the court following this year’s week of action, the message is simple; comply with our firearms legislation or face the consequences.”