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Raptor Squad swarm Northern NSW in interstate operation - Operation Northern Borders

Friday, 08 November 2024 10:55:19 AM

NSW and Queensland police have swarmed the northern NSW border for a week of action under Operation Northern Borders.

Operation Northern Borders is an interstate investigation targeting organised crime and OMCG activities on the NSW and Queensland border involving the NSW Police Forces’ Raptor Squad, the Queensland Police Service, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

During the operation, police conducted 15 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks, arrested 10 people and laid 48 charges and charged for multiple offences including weapon and drug charges.

Police located and seized a firearm, eight prohibited weapons, a knife, $39,000 in cash, three stolen motor vehicles, one stolen motorcycle and a stolen caravan.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, Commander of Raptor Squad, said its vital for interstate law enforcement to work together to target criminals operating on our state borders.

“Criminals think the moment they cross the border we can’t get them and that they are safe from the consequences of their actions. However, the reality can’t be further from the truth.

“NSW and Queensland Police are always working together to bring criminals on either side of the border justice,” Det Supt Koutsoufis said.

“For those criminals who try to run and hide from police, know you can’t because we will find you and we will put you before the courts.”

Incidents of note include:

  • About 7.30am on Monday 4 November 2024, police conducted a FPO compliance check at a unit in Kingscliff. During a search of the home, police located and seized a taser and Nazi flag. Following the search police arrested a 17-year-old girl before taking her to Tweed Heads Police Station. She was charged by virtue of four outstanding warrants and refused bail to appear before Children’s Court the same day.

  • About 9.10am on Monday 4 November 2024, police conducted a FPO compliance check at a home in Goonellabah. During the search police located and seized a caravan – allegedly stolen from Queensland - a sawn-off rifle, ammunition, 42 grams of MDMA, small amounts of cocaine and methylamphetamine, almost a kilo of cannabis and $1,800 cash. Following the search police arrested a 25-year-old man before taking him to Lismore Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5,000 and possess prohibited drug. The man was refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

  • About 7.30am on Tuesday 5 November 2024, police executed a search warrant at a property in Nobbys Creek, following an investigation into the robbery and vehicle theft of a home in Upper Main Arm. During the search police located and seized multiple stolen vehicles, stolen registration plates, 100 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 27 grams of cannabis and multiple electronic devices. Following the search police arrested two men, aged 35 and 41, before taking them to Tweed Heads Police Station. The 35-year-old was charged with three counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, two counts of receive property theft serious indictable offence more than $5,000, two counts of unlawfully possess thing resembles number, supply prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and dishonestly interfere/copy unique identifier. The 41-year-old was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and dishonestly interfere/copy unique identifier. Both men were refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

  • About 11.40am on Wednesday 6 November 2024, police attended a property on Cudgera Creek Road in Cudgera Creek, following reports a man wanted for allegedly violent offences was on the property. On arrival police located an unknown man fleeing from the property and attempt to hide in nearby creek. Officers arrested the 33-year-old man before taking him to Tweed Heads Police Station. Following the arrest, police executed a crime scene warrant at the home, locating and seizing an allegedly stolen vehicle, a sickle, multiple fireworks, small amounts of cannabis and multiple electronic devices. The man was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The 33-year-old was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court yesterday (Thursday 7 November 2024).

  • About 7.30am yesterday, officers executed an FPO compliance check on a home on Second Avenue, Tweed Heads. During a search of the property, police located a man allegedly attempting to hide a crossbow behind a fence. The crossbow, a crossbow stock and multiple arrows were located and seized. The man, aged 33, was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station. He was charged with use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order and possess or sue a prohibited weapon without permit. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday 25 November 2024.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.