A MAN is in police custody and a massive property search by police has uncovered an illegal sawn-off firearm and ammunition.
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The 48-year-old was expected to be charged on Tuesday night with gun-related offences after Oxley police served a firearms prohibition order on the rural property at Kelvin.
In a coordinated sting, about 20 police including detectives, target action group officers, OSG police, rural crime investigations and officers on trail bikes scaled the 2,500 acre property including several sheds on Tuesday.
“The firearms prohibition order gives police the power to search the location immediately,” Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd told The Leader.
“During that search of the property, police located and seized a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle and a large quantity of ammunition.
“As a result of that, a 48-year-old male was arrested.”
The firearms prohibition order gives police the power to search the location immediately.
- Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd
The local man was taken to Gunnedah Police Station and was still being questioned by Oxley detectives on Tuesday night.
The search also involved a specialist firearms and explosive detection dog from Sydney who was deployed to the property to back up officers scouring the farming area.
“Oxley police applied for and were granted the firearms prohibition order by a court and that court order was based on police intelligence,” Acting Superintendent Budd said.
“Investigations into the operation are continuing.”
Police believe the sawn-off gun had been altered and it will now undergo ballistics examinations to determine its origin.
Oxley police applied for and were granted the firearms prohibition order by a court and that order was based on police intelligence.
- Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd
“This is an illegal shortened firearm in the hands of someone that shouldn’t have it,” Acting Superintendent Budd said.
”We will act on any information relating to firearms because every gun that we take off our streets, makes the community a safer place.”