Loaded rifle stored in wardrobe, man charged, NSW

A man has been charged and a loaded firearm seized after police attended a home in Baradine, initially over a livestock issue.

Officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team and the Orana Mid-West Police District Target Action Group attended the property on Aerodrome Road at Baradine, 185km north of Dubbo, about 11am Tuesday (2 March 2019), making inquiries about livestock being kept on the property.

As the resident is subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order, the property was searched, with the resident allegedly informing officers he had a loaded .22 calibre rifle and ammunition stored in a wardrobe in a bedroom.

The firearm and ammunition were seized and the 34-year-old man was arrested and taken to Coonabarabran Police Station where he was charged with:

• Possess unregistered firearm

• Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority

• Possess prohibited drug.

He has been conditionally bailed to appear in Coonabarabran Local Court on Friday 24 May 2019.

Inquiries into the livestock are continuing.

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