Man facing 47 charges over alleged firearms, explosives, drugs offending
A 48-year-old man was charged after several weapons were seized by police. (Supplied: NT Police)
A licensed firearms holder is facing 47 charges after two property raids by NT police led to the seizure of several unlawful weapons, illegal explosives and illicit drugs.
The 48-year-old man was arrested in Darwin's northern suburbs on Thursday after specialist police — including a bomb squad — were deployed to execute search warrants in Noonamah and Muirhead.
A firearm with the barrel sawn off was among the items police allegedly discovered during the raids. (Supplied: NT Police)
In their first raid on Wednesday, police seized a number of items from a Redcliffe Road property including:
- Gel blasters
- Large quantities of fireworks and ammunition
- A revolver with no serial number
- Unregistered firearms
- Items related to explosives including nitric acid and gunpowder
- Two empty grenades
- A methamphetamine glass pipe
NT police said the man had been attempting to avoid authorities and was not present when the search took place.
On Thursday afternoon, he was arrested at a Muirhead property and taken into custody.
The NT police investigation began after the man allegedly failed a firearms compliance check. (Supplied: NT Police)
Police then searched the home where he was found and seized:
- Two batons
- A gel blaster
- A prohibited firearm with its barrel sawn off
- A commercial quantity of cannabis
- A trafficable quantity of LSD
- A small quantity of methamphetamine
- Four methamphetamine glass pipes
- A taser
Police say a number of items were found in both property searches. (Supplied: NT Police)
Acting Senior Sergeant Aaron Chapman from the NT Police Force's Firearms Policy and Recording Unit said investigations initially begun after the offender allegedly failed "a random firearms compliance check".
"While this matter escalated to the discovery of illegal firearms, explosives, and drugs, it serves as a clear reminder that compliance is critical to community safety," he said.
"Failure to comply is a serious offence and will result in enforcement action."
The alleged offender is facing 47 charges and will appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday.