Military grade firearms were seized and a man arrested by police today, during raids of properties in Goonellabah and Ballina.

During the searches, police allegedly located and seized methylamphetamine and MDMA, firearms parts and cash.

The operation was part of a joint police operation across three States, which has seen arrests made as well as the alleged seizure of large amounts of drugs and cash.

At Lismore Police Station today, Detective Acting Superintendent Cameron Lindsay said police executed search warrants across Queensland, NSW and Victoria, as part of an ongoing six-month investigation into an alleged criminal drug supply syndicate.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at Ballina today with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit.

Police arrest a man in Ballina today.

He was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with several offences, including:

• Supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug (three counts)
• Supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug (two counts)
• Manufacture large commercial quantity of prohibited drug (two counts)
• Supply prohibited firearm
• Supply prohibited firearm part
• Supply ammunition, and
• Knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

Police arrest a man in Ballina today.

Detective Lindsay said the man is assisting local police with enquiries. He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 24 June 2020).

“Police have also made two arrests in Queensland and two in Victoria and we allege they are part of a syndicate working in the northern region,” he said.

“Police will allege the men have been involved in large commercial supply and manufacture of illegal drugs in the State and are involved in the supply of illegal weapon firearms,” he said.

Detective Acting Superintendent Cameron Lindsay.

Detective Lindsay said police will allege they found a large commercial supply of MDMA and amphetamines “worth hundreds of thousands of dollars”, indicating the drugs are “moving across borders into this area”.

“We also allege we seized a large amount of cash, and allege a pill press was seized which could indicate people are manufacturing drugs and selling them,” he said.

In January 2020, detectives attached to the Richmond Police District Drug Unit and State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad established Strike Force Ranson to investigate the importation, manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs and the supply of prohibited weapons in northern NSW and south-east QLD.

“We are especially concerned by the type of weapons and firearms seized in this operation,” Detective Lindsay said.

“We allege there is a cross over between the sale of illegal drugs and firearms and we ask anyone with information about the sale of drugs or firearms to contact Crimestoppers.”

Detective Lindsay said police inquiries are ongoing and police anticipate more arrests as the investigation continues.

“I’m pleased we have now seized these dangerous weapons and they are off the streets,” he said.

“I believe this will make a big difference in the area to the drug supplies.”

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.