Raptor Squad officers have charged two men and seized 13 firearms following an investigation into alleged firearm and drug supply on the South Coast under Strike Force Biarritz.
Strike Force Biarritz was established by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad to investigate the alleged ongoing possession and supply of drugs and firearms in the Nowra area.
About 8.50am yesterday (Thursday 24 October 2024), strike force officers executed two search warrants at a property on Oxford Street in South Nowra and on Plunkett Street, Nowra.
During the searches, police located and seized 13 firearms, a 3D printer, 3D printed firearm parts, approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, $64,700 in cash and 2.3kg of cannabis.
They also seized a buggy and two motorcross bikes believed to be stolen.
Two men, aged 29 and 25, were arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station where the older man was charged with 23 offences, and the younger man was charged with 24 offences including 12 counts of possess unregistered firearm – prohibited firearm, manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit, and a number of other charges relating to the possession of unregistered firearms and ammunition.
The men were refused bail to appear before Nowra Local Court today (Friday 25 October 2024)
Police will allege in court two of the firearms seized were believed to have been stolen from a Lithgow museum last month, and made operational through privately manufactured firearm parts.