Guns, ammo, drugs seized as riot squad deployed in Riverina raids

THE riot squad has been deployed across the Riverina during a major three-day crackdown that uncovered an arsenal of firearms, vast quantities of ammunition and a mix of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine.

Operation SAFE (Search and Firearm Enforcement) was led by State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad and ran from Tuesday, December 9, to Thursday, December 11, targeting illicit firearms, prohibited weapons and drug supply networks within the Riverina Police District.

Twenty-eight guns and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition were seized during the high-visibility operation, which saw heavily resourced police teams conduct compliance checks, raids and inspections across the region.

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives were supported by officers from Riverina Police District, the Public Order & Riot Squad, the Rural Crime Prevention Team and the NSW Firearms Registry, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the enforcement blitz.

Over the three days, police carried out 10 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance checks, inspected the safe storage of more than 1,100 firearms, conducted 31 firearm storage inspections and audited four licensed firearm dealers.

A 21-year-old man, who is the subject of a Firearm Prohibition Order, was arrested in Kooringal on Tuesday after officers allegedly located four firearms inside his home during a compliance check.

A baton, knuckle-dusters, a laser pointer and quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis were also allegedly seized from the address.

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

The man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with 12 offences, including possessing firearms and prohibited weapons contrary to a prohibition order, failing to store firearms safely, and drug possession.

He was refused bail and appeared in Bail Division Local Court 5 on Wednesday, December 10, before being formally refused bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday, December 17.

In a separate incident, a firearm, ammunition and small amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine were seized from a home at Gumly Gumly on Thursday morning.

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

Photo: Supplied/NSW Police Force

A 25-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where she was charged with 27 offences relating to the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs and the possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition.

She was refused bail and appeared in Bail Division Local Court 5 on Friday, December 12.

Photos: Supplied/NSW Police Force

Police say Operation SAFE is designed to disrupt criminal activity, reduce the circulation of illegal firearms and ensure compliance with firearm safety laws, particularly among individuals subject to Firearm Prohibition Orders.

Investigations are ongoing.