The Rural Crime Prevention Team posted a photo of the firearms seized. Photo: NSW Police.
NSW Police has seized 20 firearms, 11 knives and a tomahawk during a proactive rural crime-related operation in the southern Riverina.
Investigators attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT), established Operation Brushwood to target rural crime-related offences throughout the southern region.
The three-day operation was conducted in the Murray River Police District between Friday (18 April) and Monday (21 April) involving officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team with assistance from the Murray River Police District, patrolling national parks and state forests, stock reserves and public roads.
The following were notable achievements during the operation:
Deniliquin
At about 11:30 am on Sunday (20 April), police stopped a utility with Victorian number plates on the Cobb Highway, about 5 km north of Deniliquin. Police allegedly seized five knives from the vehicle, which weren’t secured. Two hunting dogs were also searched and were compliant. The 35-year-old man was issued with an infringement notice for possessing a knife in a public place.
Booligal
At about 11:45 pm on Friday (18 April), police were patrolling Cobb Highway, Booligal, about 1 km north of Merungle Road, when police pulled over a utility with Victorian number plates on the Cobb Highway.
Police allegedly seized a throwing axe and four knives from within the vehicle. Officers also checked four hunting dogs that were with the men, with one dog allegedly suffering four puncture wounds to its neck as a result of hunting several days earlier.
The dog had allegedly not been taken to a vet for treatment. The 20-year-old man was issued with an infringement for possessing a knife in a public place. The 17-year-old owner of the dog was issued with an infringement notice for being in charge of an animal and failing to provide vet treatment. He was also issued with a caution for animal cruelty and for possessing a knife in a public place.
A tomahawk was also seized. Photo: NSW Police.
Overall achievements
In total, the following results were achieved:
- 16 vehicle stops and two vehicle searches
- 11 hunting style knives and one tomahawk/throwing axe were seized
- 16 firearm safe storage inspections – three failed and 20 firearms and ammunition seized
- Two people issued with firearms suspension notices
- 33 infringements issued for traffic offences
- 18 hunting dogs inspected under the Animal Companion Act
- One apiary inspection
- One travel stock statement inspection
- One macropod harvester inspection
- Three licensed premises inspections.
Operation Brushwood continues.
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