Nine people have been charged and around 20 firearms removed from the Tasmanian community in recent weeks following a crackdown on illegal, unregistered and stolen guns.
Yesterday, police conducted multiple searches across the state, leading to the discovery of seven illegal guns.
Following these searches, a 52-year-old man from Punchbowl was charged with firearms and drug-related offenses, while a 36-year-old man from Sidmouth is facing charges related to family violence, firearms and drugs.
The bust comes weeks after a 33-year-old man from West Launceston was found with a sawn-off shotgun, a quantity of ammunition, 200 MDMA tablets and a quantity of cash.
Detective Inspector Nathan Johnston stressed the police’s commitment to removing illegal firearms from the community.
“Every illegal firearm in our community is a concern. Many of the firearms seized in recent weeks were stolen,” he said.
He urged residents to report any information about illegal firearms and highlighted the permanent amnesty in Tasmania, allowing the safe surrender of unregistered or unwanted firearms.
Information about illegal firearms or drugs can be reported to the police at 131 444 or Crime Stoppers at 1800 330 000, anonymously if desired.