A MAN has pleaded guilty to a string of gun and drug offences stemming from a raid by New England police and the state’s gangs squad.
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Lance Victor Tracey remains in custody and appeared in Armidale Local Court where he admitted to seven firearm-related charges including possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing an unregistered gun and holding an unauthorised firearm.
He also pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing a prohibited drug.
Tracey was arrested during a raid on an O’Dell St home in Armidale on June 7 where a Ruger pistol, Tikka rifle with a scope and two other guns were seized.
Following the guilty pleas in court, the DPP withdrew two charges of supplying amphetamine and possessing stolen goods.
Magistrate Michael Holmes committed the 51-year-old for sentence to the Armidale District Court and ordered authorities to compile a background report ahead of sentencing.
Fifteen charges were referred to the higher court and will be dealt with on sentence.
Tracey made no application for bail during the committal proceedings and it was formally refused.
He will remain behind bars until sentencing in November.
The raid was part of operation by Strike Force Raptor and New England police and saw three rifles, one revolver, an amount of amphetamine, ammunition, knuckledusters and a magazine for an M16 seized from the home.