A man has been arrested in a Firearms Prohibition Operation (FPO) in northern New South Wales. Operation Yowie, conducted by the Rural Crime Prevention Team in the Oxley Police District, aimed to investigate firearm thefts in the Pilliga, Gwabegar, and surrounding areas.
On October 31, 2023, officers carried out FPO searches at two residences in Pilliga and one in Gwabegar. During the search at a house on Dangar Street in Pilliga, a man attempted to flee the property with a rifle but was quickly apprehended by the police after jumping over a fence.
Upon searching the property, law enforcement discovered cannabis leaf, a cannabis plant, ammunition, a firearm, and a laser, all of which were confiscated. The 30-year-old suspect was taken into custody and charged with offenses related to acquiring a firearm and ammunition in violation of a prohibition order. He was brought to the Wee Waa Police Station and will appear in court on November 1, 2023.
Additionally, authorities visited a residence on Anzac Parade in Gwabegar, where they seized an electronic stun device.
