Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged four men following the alleged theft of 40 firearms from a private property on the South Coast earlier this year.
Between Saturday 22 March and Saturday 29 March 2025, a property on Seascape Close in Narrawallee, about 3km north of Mollymook, was allegedly broken into and 40 firearms were stolen.
The stolen firearms were a collection of modern and collectible firearms which were stored at the property in various gun safes.
Officers attached to South Coast Police District were notified on Sunday 30 March 2025 and commenced initial inquiries, before the matter was referred to State Crime Command’s Drug & Firearms Squad under Strike Force Coaldale.
Following extensive, about 6.15am on Monday 22 September 2025, strike force detectives, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, South West Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit and the Dog Unit, executed a search warrant in Cobbitty.
During a search of the property, police located and seized two loaded firearms, 150 rounds of ammunition, six gel blasters, a hand grenade, electronic devices and clothing relevant to the investigation.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man at the address who was taken to Camden Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated break & enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-steal etc >$60K, participate in a criminal group, and two counts of possess unauthorised firearm.
The man was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court.
It comes after three arrests earlier this year, including one at 6.20am on Wednesday 16 April 2025, when strike force detectives, assisted by Raptor Squad, executed a search warrant at a Macquarie Fields property and arrested a 36-year-old man.
The man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated break & enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-steal etc >$60K.
He was refused bail and appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday 17 April 2025.
About 10.50am the same day, strike force detectives arrested a 42-year-old man in Moss Vale.
A subsequent search warrant was executed at a home in Bradbury, where police located and seized a pistol magazine containing live rounds and a stolen black trailer.
The man was taken to Southern Highlands Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated break & enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-steal etc >$60K, acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order and acquire etc firearm subject to prohibition order.
He was refused bail and appeared in Picton Local Court on Thursday 17 April 2025.
Police executed two more search warrants in St Clair and Wedderburn, where police located and seized electronic devices, CCTV footage, a face mask and other items relevant to their investigation.
About 8.20am on Thursday 1 May 2025, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad, stopped a vehicle in Currans Hill and arrested the driver, a 41-year-old man.
The man was taken to Narellan Police Station, where he was charged with accessory before the fact aggravated break & enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-steal etc >$60K and participate in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared in Picton Local Court the same day.
Commander of the Drug & Firearms Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent Richard Puffett said the arrests are a good result, but the investigation is far from over.
“Just because arrests have been made doesn’t mean the job is done. Recovering the outstanding firearms remains a top priority for investigators as this job continues,” Det A/Supt Puffett said.
“So far, four of the stolen firearms have been recovered, two from a property in Ourimbah on Friday 11 April 2025, and two more in Cobbitty yesterday.
“This isn’t just about solving a crime; it’s also about preventing future ones. Stolen firearms often end up in the hands of criminals, and we’re determined to stop that chain.
“As the investigation continues, we are appealing for public information to assist us. These kinds of weapons don’t just vanish. We’re urging the public to report any suspicious behaviour or information that could help us locate them.”
