A solicitor has been charged with 16 offences after police allegedly seized four firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and equipment linked to the manufacture of 3D-printed weapons in Moree.
The 32-year-old was arrested on Tuesday as part of Strike Force Temarang, an investigation by State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad into the importation and manufacture of 3D-printed firearms and firearm parts, computer-aided design software and other privately manufactured firearms.
Police said officers from New England Police District began inquiries into the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms and firearm parts in Moree in April.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives and New England Police District officers conducted a firearms prohibition order compliance check at a home on Sunnyside Road about 6:15 am on Tuesday.
During a search of the property, police allegedly seized a bolt-action rifle, two pistols, a semi-automatic privately manufactured firearm, firearm parts, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and equipment related to the manufacture of ammunition.
The man was arrested and taken to Moree Police Station.
About midday, police executed a crime scene warrant at an office on Frome Street, where detectives allegedly seized a 3D printer, blueprints to create firearms and electronic devices.
Drug and Firearms Squad commander John Watson said some of the firearms seized were conventionally manufactured, while others were privately made.
“Conventional firearms meaning traditional firearms by legitimate manufacturers. Other firearms at the location were made privately. They were non-conventional firearms, so privately made firearms.”
Watson said police had found no evidence the man had been supplying or selling the weapons.
He said police were seeing an increase in the private manufacture of firearms.
“I can tell you the private manufacture of firearms is something we are seeing increasing incidents of. It is when people make firearms without a permit or license.
“Components can be either genuine or aftermarket or, in fact, 3D printed, either metal or printed in plastic.
“But I think this serves a strong warning to the community that 3D-printed weapons are all illicit, and they are illegal.”
Police said the solicitor was subject to a firearms prohibition order at the time of the searches.
“In this particular case, this person did have an FPO in existence and served,” Watson said.
Watson also said the man had previously been of interest to police, but declined to discuss the circumstances surrounding the firearms prohibition order.
He also declined to comment on questions about the man’s ability to practise as a solicitor.
“A person’s occupation generally does not form part of an investigation into the private manufacturing of firearms.”
The man was charged with 16 offences, including three counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, two counts of acquiring a pistol while subject to a firearms prohibition order and two counts of failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.
Other charges include manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence or permit, possessing more than three unregistered firearms where one is a prohibited firearm or pistol, acquiring ammunition while subject to a prohibition order, acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order and acquiring a prohibited firearm while subject to a prohibition order.
He also faces three counts of a firearm being found at premises while subject to a prohibition order.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear before Bail Division Local Court 5 on Wednesday.
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