A man will appear in court today charged after Strike Force Raptor investigators seized a rifle, ammunition, steroids and cannabis plants near Wollongong.
Just before 12.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 26 February 2020), officers from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor arrested a 27-year-old man following a vehicle stop on Longview Crescent at Stanwell Tops.
In a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized an amount of ammunition and steroids.
A short time later, Strike Force Raptor investigators, with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad, executed a search warrant at a home in Helensburgh.
During the search, officers seized a .177 calibre rifle, ammunition and 47 cannabis plants.
The man was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, possess prohibited drug, possess unauthorised firearm, cultivate prohibited plant, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the supply of a rifle to another man in March 2019.
The Helensburgh man was refused bail and will appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Thursday 27 February 2020).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
