Seven gel blasters, a crossbow, knuckle dusters, ammunition and imitation grenades were allegedly uncovered during an early-morning search.
A Northern Rivers weapons raid has led to 19 charges against a man accused of acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order.
Tomas Hainaut, 35, was arrested after officers executed a search warrant at a South Lismore property about 7am on Tuesday, October 20.
Police allege they uncovered seven gel blasters, ammunition, knuckle dusters, knives, handcuffs, a crossbow, an extendable baton and gel blaster imitation grenades.
Officers also allegedly found 31 grams of methylamphetamine and 1.5 litres of a suspected prohibited drug.
Hainaut was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with seven counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and six counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm.
He also faces one count of acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order and three counts of using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition.
The remaining charges are possessing ammunition without a licence, permit or authority, and supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than the indictable quantity but less than the commercial quantity.
Northern Rivers weapons raid part of transnational operation
The Lismore search formed part of a transnational firearms crackdown coordinated by the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, formerly known as Operation Athena.
The group brings together police from jurisdictions across Australia, federal agencies and New Zealand Police.
The NSW component was led by State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, supported by hundreds of police and specialist officers, along with the Australian Border Force.
Across NSW, police executed 12 warrants, arrested 39 people and laid 111 charges.
Officers seized 230 illicit firearms, 33 firearm parts, more than 1000 rounds of ammunition and 79 other prohibited weapons.
Police also issued 21 firearm prohibition orders, conducted 163 compliance checks and completed 819 safe storage inspections.
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Watson said the results demonstrated police’s ongoing commitment to removing illicit firearms from the community.
“Every illegal firearm seized is one less weapon that can be used to threaten, intimidate or seriously harm members of our community,” Det Supt Watson said.
“This operation brought together specialist investigators and local police from across New South Wales, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of firearms, firearm parts and other prohibited weapons.
“NSW Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners across Australia and New Zealand to disrupt the illicit firearms market and prevent dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands.”
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Shaun Baker said criminals were seeking new ways to source firearms, including importing components that could be assembled into functioning weapons.
“The growing use of privately manufactured firearms and 3D-printed weapons presents a significant challenge for law enforcement, but it is one we are actively addressing alongside our state and federal partners,” Supt Baker said.
“Every firearm component seized at the border is potentially a weapon prevented from reaching Australian streets.”
Hainaut was refused bail .
He is due to appear from custody via video link at Lismore Local Court November 9.
Main Image : A table of real guns and gel blasters demonstrates how difficult it is to see the difference. Suppled : SA Police