Source : Perth Now news
Crossbows, guns, nunchucks, battle axes and knuckledusters have been seized after two police raids uncovered well-stocked suburban arsenals.
Two separate property searches conducted across greater Sydney and the NSW Central Coast on Friday resulted in a slew of seizures, with three men since hauled into custody.
A NSW Police raid in Penrith, western Sydney, about 7pm turned up numerous ceremonial and functional weapons.
Officers located pairs of rifles, revolvers and crossbows at the Rodley Avenue unit following reports the home contained prohibited firearms.
Nunchucks, a “high-powered” laser, ornamental battle axes and daggers, a combat knife and a throwing knife were also seized from the property.
Authorities also took various ammunitions, cash, stolen property and air-powered weapons for forensic examination.
A man, 27, was arrested at the property and charged with 59 offences relating to firearms, prohibited weapons, drug supply and dealing with stolen property.
Another man, 43, was also taken from the property and charged with goods in custody suspected of being stolen and possession of housebreaking implements.
Neither of the men were granted bail at court on Saturday.
The court heard the older man posed several unacceptable risks including endangering the safety of victims, individuals or the community.
The 27-year-old will next front court on August 11. The 43-year-old will appear before a local court on August 5.
Australian Federal Police also on Friday raided a home in Hamlyn Terrace, just north of Sydney, following a tip-off from border police.
Border officials had seized a knuckle duster bearing Nazi symbols from an international mail cargo earlier in the year.
Federal police in Hamlyn Terrace seized three knuckle dusters, a firearm, prohibited weapons and suspected border controlled drugs from the property.
A man, 49, was charged with five counts of unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon and a count of possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm.
Police also charged him with one count of importing a tier-two prohibited weapon being a Nazi insignia knuckle duster, one count of possessing a controlled drug and a further count of trafficking in a substance.
AFP Detective Superintendent Nathan Robertson said items like knuckle dusters posed significant public safety risks.
“(They) have no legitimate place in our community,” he said in a statement.
Australian Border Force Superintendent Danielle Honey added the knuckle dusters bearing Nazi insignia uncovered in a mail consignment were “particularly concerning”.
The 49-year-old was scheduled to face a bail court on Saturday.
