BY DAKOTA TAIT
Hunter Valley police have seized a number of items, including firearms and a pair of joeys, during a four-day rural crime blitz.
Operation Devil Ark was established to target illegal hunting, trespassing, and stock movements across a range of rural areas.
Officers conducted 27 livestock carrier inspections and 26 hunting vehicle stops over the weekend.
At 4:30pm on June 4, officers stopped a 27-year-old man at Gundy, north of Muswellbrook, after he was allegedly located with two young kangaroo joeys unlawfully obtained.
Police searched the man’s vehicle and located ammunition and firearms, which were seized for forensic examination.
The joeys were taken to a wildlife care centre, where they are receiving treatment.
The man was arrested, and his firearm licence was suspended.
He was released a short time later pending further inquiries.
The following evening, at 8:15pm on June 5, officers stopped a car in Murrurundi.
Police spoke to the driver before searching the vehicle when they located a machete and knuckle dusters, which were seized for forensic examination.
A 19-year-old man from Westdale is set to appear at Scone Local Court in July.
