Riverina men denied bail over alleged involvement in illegal manufacture of firearms

Leeton men Craig McPhee and Dennis Reeves faced Griffith Local Court House and had their bail denied. Photo: Oliver Jacques.

Two men have had their bail refused following an investigation into the alleged illegal manufacture of firearms in Leeton.

Leeton men Craig McPhee, 56, and Dennis Reeves, 64, fronted Griffith Local Court on 17 May, charged with multiple weapons offences between them.

McPhee was charged with manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence/permit and possessing a digital blueprint for the manufacture of firearms.

Reeves was charged with two counts of not keeping a firearm safe, two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, possessing ammunition without a permit, possessing a prohibited drug and supplying cannabis.

McPhee and Reeves made no bail applications, and it was formally refused by Magistrate Trevor Khan, who set their next court date for 8 June at Griffith Local Court.

Officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District’s Proactive Crime Team commenced their investigation in February this year. Following inquiries, police executed a firearms prohibition search at a home on Wallowa Street in Leeton at about 9 am on 16 March.

Police allegedly located and seized firearms parts for automatic weapons, ammunition, firearms blueprints, as well as cannabis and cannabis plants.

McPhee was arrested at the scene and taken to Leeton Police Station.

Following further inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Macquarie Street in Wamoon on 21 March.

Police allegedly seized a .22 calibre rifle, an airsoft rifle, ammunition, a slingshot, cannabis and cannabis plants and arrested Reeves at the scene and he was taken to Leeton Police Station.