The Hunter was central to a police blitz this week, with several residents being charged with numerous firearms offences.
Operation Pendula, a joint initiative by the NSW Firearms Registry, State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad and the State Intelligence Unit, targeted those identified as having alleged links to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) or Organised Criminal Networks (OCN).
Officers spoke to 19 licence holders – from West Wallsend to Greta, from Kempsey on the Mid-North Coast to Mendooran in the state’s west – for the purpose of conducting safe firearm storage inspections, serving revocation or suspension notices, and seizing firearms and ammunition on Wednesday 27 September.
In total, they seized 80 firearms, approximately 30,000 rounds of ammunition, revoked nine firearm licences and suspended five.
In Mount Hutton, a 34-year-old man was charged with not keep firearm safely and possess prohibited weapon without a permit after police located a slingshot.
They also identified a number of breaches during a storage inspection.
He will appear in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 8 November.
At the Greta address, police charged a 50-year-old man with possess unauthorised prohibited firearm and not keep firearm safely after police located one with an attached silencer.
He will appear in Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 8 November.
NSW Firearms Registry Commander Detective Superintendent Cameron Lindsay said Operation Pendula focused on making sure weapons didn’t end up in the wrong hands.
“We have stringent integrity testing of all firearm applicants for licences and permits and continually assesses that licence holder’s suitability to retain their licence,” he explained.
“In the case of many of these identified targets – due to their alleged links to organised crime – their firearm licences and firearms were either revoked or suspended.
“This operation is an important reminder to all firearm licence holders that the NSW Firearms Registry has an exhaustive list of grounds to revoke a licence, and we will do so if there’s even the slightest risk to the community.”
State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad Commander Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Gordon agreed.
“This operation is all about removing criminals’ access to guns – whether lawfully held by other people or not,” he said.
“Firearm regulation is an ongoing tactic in disrupting organised criminal networks and working with the NSW Firearms registry to revoke licences and seize guns from their associates is just another tool in our arsenal.
“While it is not alleged any person subject to this operation is themselves involved in criminal activity, it’s another reminder of the price of involvement in OCN or OMCGs.
“The NSW Police Force have significant powers to keep the community safe and choosing to be involved in organised crime – or associating with those who are – guarantees police attention.”
For more news stories:
- Sydney traffic woes expected this long weekend
- Teens charged following armed robbery and pursuit in Hunter
- Council welcomes delivery of Stockton Beach dredging contract
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
