A man has been charged with firearms and weapons offences after seizing an explosive device from a property in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after midnight yesterday (Saturday 7 December 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District attended a property in Edgeworth, following reports a firearm with an expired licence was being stored at the location.
Police spoke with the occupant, a 35-year-old man, who surrendered the firearm, and conducted a safe storage inspection at the property.
During the search, officers allegedly located a gun safe that was not properly secured. They also located ammunition, cannabis, and an improvised explosive device (IED).
The Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit attended and rendered the IED safe.
The 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
He was charged with eight offences, including:
- two counts of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit,
- manufacture military-style weapon without a permit,
- manufacture firearm without a licence or permit,
- possess unauthorised prohibited firearm,
- possess or use military-style weapon without permit,
- not keep firearm safely, and
- possess prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 8 December 2019), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court tomorrow (Monday 9 December 2019).
