Ex-law enforcement officer arrested for allegedly manufacturing guns in NSW
One man arrested in an investigation into an alleged gun manufacturing ring on the NSW south coast is a former law enforcement officer, police have revealed.
Police found two privately manufactured machine guns, ammunition, balaclavas and cable ties on a 45-year-old man during his arrest in Shellharbour at 12.20pm yesterday.
Another four loaded revolvers, three ballistic vests, a 3D printer and several firearms parts were found during a search of his property.
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Three men have been arrested in an investigation into an alleged gun and drug ring in NSW's south-east. Nine
The parts included slides, barrels, triggers, magazines, paperwork, electronic devices, mobile phones and thousands of rounds of various ammunition.
Several areas where guns were allegedly being created were also located at the property.
"We will allege that the people involved in these matters were preparing to manufacture more firearms and distribute them throughout Australia and especially NSW," Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis said.
"This was a highly sophisticated firearm manufacturing process which they had established, which included a 3D printer.
"We haven't seen firearms of this quality too often... various parts were made, others were imported."
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Police found two privately manufactured machine guns, ammunition, balaclavas and cable ties on a 45-year-old man. Nine
The man was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with 20 offences, including knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group assisting a crime, and other gun-supply charges.
He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today.
At 12.30pm yesterday, detectives also executed a search warrant in Farmborough Heights, where a 16-year-old boy was arrested.
He was taken to Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with 16 offences, including participating in a criminal group and charges relating to the supply of firearms.
Police say the 16-year-old is "closely related" to the 45-year-old man, who detectives allege is a former law enforcement officer.
"The alleged actions of this 45-year-old ex-law enforcement officer are completely abhorrent to my values as a law enforcement officer," Koutsoufis said.
"To put himself in that position is something I can't even fathom, to have fallen that far down from his previous standing ... it's beyond my comprehension to be honest."
He was not a police officer in NSW, Koutsoufis confirmed.
Another four loaded revolvers, three ballistic vests, a 3D printer and several firearms parts were found during a search of his property. Nine
He was refused bail and appeared in Children's Court today.
A third man, aged 43, was arrested in Burleigh Beach in Queensland.
He was taken to Southport Watch House where detectives will apply for his extradition to NSW later today.
Detectives say the streets of NSW are now safer following the arrests.
"They were [allegedly] actively involved in selling highly dangerous firearms, automatic machine guns, to those involved in serious crime," Koutsoufis said.
Investigations continue.
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