NSW: Police net WWII machine gun in Wollongong weapons haul

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2009
NSW: Police net WWII machine gun in Wollongong weapons haul

By Lisa Martin

SYDNEY, Aug 26 AAP - A weapons seizure involving a World War II machine gun and another
home-made machine gun has led to charges against three men.

They have been accused of trading illegal firearms.

A five-month investigation by Strike Force Bowl resulted in Wollongong police charging
three men aged 59, 39 and 55 on Wednesday.

Police allege the men are members of a criminal network based on the NSW south coast.

Twelve weapons were allegedly seized, including a World War II Bren Light machine gun
capable of firing up to 520 rounds a minute.

The Bren gun was made famous by Australian and other allied forces during World War
II and has a maximum range of 1.5 kilometres.

Following a police search of their homes, the trio were charged with numerous offences.

The most serious of these were supplying prohibited weapons, knowingly dealing in the
proceeds of crime and supplying individual unlawful weapons.

Superintendent Kyle Stewart said the weapons haul also included a 12 gauge shotgun
and several pistols.

"Investigators seized the weapons over several months and the warrants today were to
search for paraphernalia including ammunition and other illegal property," Supt Stewart
said.

"All the firearms are being forensically tested.

"The broader allegation is the men are actively involved in a criminal network."

Supt Stewart said the men would remain in custody ahead of their appearance in Wollongong
Local Court, which is expected on Thursday.

Bail will be opposed at that time, he said.

AAP lpm/hn/mmr

KEYWORD: WEAPONS

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