Operation Athena was established to target the trafficking and use of illicit firearms throughout Australia and involved police in a nationwide crackdown last week.
In the Central Metropolitan Region (Inner West), police carried out 53 safe storage inspections and two firearms prohibition orders.
In NSW, police conducted 582 safe storage inspections, 14 Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) searches, 15 Weapons Prohibition Orders (WPO) searches, seized 81 firearms and obtained 48 surrendered firearms.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos said the supply and distribution of illegal firearms remained a key law enforcement issue in NSW and across Australia.
“Firearms compliance and regulation is a critical issue for the NSW Police Force. When in the wrong hands, firearms are dangerous, and a threat to the community,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Pisanos said.
Anyone with information in relation to prohibited firearms, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Seize 81 firearms, conduct 600 ‘safe store’ inspections
MORE than 80 firearms were seized and 600 safe storage inspections conducted by NSW police as part of a national week of action targeting prohibited firearms.