Rural crime targeted throughout Operation Highground at Cobar, NSW

A police operation targeting stock theft and illegal hunting offences in the state’s Central West was conducted this week in a proactive effort to crack down on rural crime.

Officers attached to Central North Police District and Central Zone Rural Crime Prevention Team launched Operation Highground yesterday (Thursday 26 September 2019) in move to detect, deter and prosecute illegal hunting and rural trespass offenders in the Cobar Shire.

As a result of the proactive approach, significant community engagement was achieved, as well as the execution of rural patrols, livestock inspections and traffic enforcement.

Legal action was taken against those committing rural crime offences, including a 32-year-old man who was charged with not keeping firearm safely. Police seized four firearms and over 650 rounds of ammunition and issued the man a Court Attendance Notice to appear before Cobar Local Court on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

A further three motorists were issued with traffic infringements, and a warning issued to a man for failing to microchip his hunting dogs.

Investigators will continue to ensure all livestock transporting documents are in accordance with the Local Land Services Act 2013 and will actively continue a high level of community engagement and law enforcement.

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