Five people have been charged following an investigation into an alleged 15 stolen firearms in the State’s north.
On Sunday 28 May 2023, officers attached to New England Police District and State Crime Command’s Drug & Firearms Squad commenced an investigation into a reported 15 firearms stolen from an address on Warialda Street in Moree under Strike Force McCredie.
Initial inquiries suggest the firearms were stolen from the property between Thursday 18 May 2023 and Saturday 20 May 2023.
On Thursday 1 June 2023, New England Police District detectives arrested a 36-year-old woman at Moree Police Station, where she was charged with conceal serious indictable offence and do act etc intending to pervert the course of justice.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear before Moree Local Court on Monday 17 July 2023.
As part of ongoing enquiries, officers from State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, Raptor Squad, and Police Dog Squad travelled to Moree to assist.
Across Wednesday 28 June 2023 and Thursday 29 June 2023, strike force detectives executed eight search warrants at properties on Adelaide Street, Sullivan Street, Mehi Crescent, Dingwell Place, Yulunga Street, Oak Street, and Tycannah Street in Moree.
During a search of the properties, police located four firearms, gel blasters, mobile phones and other items relevant to their investigation.
Four males – aged 17, 32 and two aged 30 – were arrested and taken to Moree Police Station.
The 32-year-old man was charged with seven offences, including possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, three counts of possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, two counts of possess unregistered firearm-not pistol or prohibited firearm, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and appeared before Inverell Local Court yesterday (Thursday 29 June 2023), where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Moree Local Court on Monday 17 July 2023.
A 30-year-old man was charged with negligent driving, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and breach of bail. He was refused bail and appeared before Inverell Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Moree Local Court on Monday 14 August 2023.
The other 30-year-old man was charged with supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it. He was refused bail and appeared at Inverell Local Court yesterday, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 17 July 2023.
The 17-year-old boy was charged with supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, refused bail and appeared at a Children’s Court on Wednesday 28 June 2023, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before a Children’s Court on Monday 21 August 2023.
Investigations under Strike Force McCredie continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
