These two guns were allegedly found on a man who was arrested in Shellharbour on Monday (31 March). Photo: NSW Police.
Police have unearthed an alleged weapons-manufacturing syndicate in the Illawarra.
A NSW Police spokesperson said Strike Force Heard was established in January 2025 to investigate the suspected private manufacture and supply of firearms and illicit drugs.
The squad arrested three people, including a teenage boy, and raided homes in Gerroa and Farmborough Heights on Monday (31 March).
“About 12:30 pm on Monday, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, Police Dog Squad and Pol Air – arrested a 45-year-old man in Shellharbour,” the police spokesperson said.
“On the man, police located two private-manufactured machineguns, ammunition, balaclavas and cable ties.
“During a search of the man’s property in Gerroa, police located a further four loaded revolver firearms, three ballistic vests, a 3D printer, an extensive amount of firearm parts including slides, barrels, triggers, magazines, paperwork, electronic devices, mobile phones, and thousands of rounds of various ammunition.
“Various firearms-manufacture stations were also identified in the premises.”
The man was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where he received 20 charges in total.
The charges included knowingly or recklessly direct a criminal group and assist crime, along with 19 other charges relating to the supply, manufacture and possession of firearms and ammunition.
He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday (1 April).
“About 12:30 pm, strike force detectives executed a search warrant in Farmborough Heights where they arrested a 16-year-old teenage boy,” the NSW Police spokesperson said.
“The boy was taken to Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with 16 offences including participate in a criminal group and other charges relating to the supply and manufacture of firearms.”
He was refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court on Tuesday (1 April).
In Queensland, with help from Queensland Police Task Force Maxima, officers arrested a 43-year-old man in Burleigh Beach on the Gold Coast.
He was taken to Southport Watchhouse, where Raptor Squad detectives will apply for his extradition to NSW.
Investigations under Strike Force Heard continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the supply of illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
