Australian police seize 230 firearms in cross-border crackdown

A coordinated week-long operation targeting illicit firearms has resulted in the seizure of 230 illegal weapons and the arrest of 39 people across Australia. The crackdown, spearheaded by the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, involved collaboration between various Australian police jurisdictions, federal agencies, and the New Zealand Police.

In New South Wales, the operation was led by the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad with support from the Australian Border Force. The blitz yielded 111 charges, 12 search warrants, and the recovery of 33 firearm parts, 79 prohibited weapons, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, authorities issued 21 Firearm Prohibition Orders and conducted hundreds of compliance and storage inspections.

A specific raid in Moore Creek led to the arrest of a 44-year-old man. Police allege they uncovered a privately manufactured firearm, gun components, a crossbow, 2,800 airgun projectiles, 1,000 steel ball bearings, and cannabis at the property.