Drugs And Firearms Seized In Raid On Central Coast And Lake Macquarie Homes

 BY IAN CROUCH

Raptor Squad Police have arrested a man and seized firearms, ammunition and drugs during raids on three homes in Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast.

Squad members allegedly found ammunition and prohibited drugs during compliance checks at homes in Halekulani and Cameron Park.

Then at about 9.30am on Tuesday 3 February 2026 a man was spotted running from scene of the single vehicle crash on the Pacific Highway at San Remo carrying a black bag.

A search of the area by the Dog Squad uncovered two black bags which police say contained two pistols, and a large quantity of methylamphetamine and MDMA.

Officers then went to a San Remo home, allegedly finding 7 more firearms, a large amount of drugs, two pill presses, drug paraphernalia and $6500 in cash.

They later returned to the home and arrested a 24-year-old man.

He's been charged with 19 offences including supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, firearms offences and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

The man's been refused bail to face the Bail Division Court today (Thursday 5 February 2026).

Some of the nine firearms seized by police

 

 

 

 

Two Men To Face Court Over Alleged Shooting At Karuah

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been arrested and charged, following an investigation into an alleged shooting at Karuah. 

Emergency services were called to an address on Bundabah Street at Karuah just before 7:00pm on Wednesday, following reports a man had been shot.

Police were told two men had arrived and allegedly shot the 55-year-old male resident, before stealing a Rolex watch and fleeing the scene.

He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Following inquiries, at about 12:55pm yesterday, Raptor Squad detectives stopped a car on Ada Street in Belmont and arrested the 40-year-old male driver. 

During a search of the man, police located and seized a knife, and he was taken to hospital under police guard in a stable condition.

Another 59-year-old man was arrested shortly after at an address on Terence Avenue in Lake Munmorah. 

They will both face Belmont Local Court today. 

Three Charged Over Drug, Firearm, and Pursuit Offences in The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Raptor Squad North detectives have charged three people in the Hunter with drug supply and police pursuit offences.

Earlier this year, detectives commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms in the region. 

Following extensive inquiries, at about 9:20am yesterday, police executed a search warrant at a home at Kurri Kurri, where they seized methylamphetamine and thousands of dollars in cash. 

Two women aged 28 and 23 were arrested.

A short time later, police attempted to talk to a 24-year-old man on Groves Road at Bennetts Green, however he allegedly fled the scene in a car.

Two short pursuits were initiated in the Lake Macquarie area before they were terminated due to safety concerns.

The man was surrounded and arrested a short time later at a property in Edgeworth, where police seized knuckle dusters and a small amount of illegal drugs. 

All three offenders were refused bail to appear in court today.

Images: NSW Police

Six Charged Over Alleged Newcastle Pub Brawl

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Six people have been charged after a brawl broke-out at a pub in Newcastle last month.

It's alleged, a 36-year-old man threw glass at a wall and grabbed a female staff member after being asked to leave the premises.

A fight broke out, and shortly after, the man and three others left the venue. 

They returned two hours later and allegedly assaulted a number of patrons in the carpark of the premises, including a 33-year-old man who was knocked unconscious and taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Following inquiries, Raptor North Squad officers executed four search warrants at properties in Cardiff, Edgeworth, Gillieston Heights, and Newcastle West from 5:00am yesterday, where they seized five firearms, cannabis, and MDMA.

Four men and two women were arrested.

It's believed all four men are senior members or associates of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. 

 

Raptor Squad Set to Tackle Organised Crime in the Hunter

BY BELLA MIDDLETON

 ABOVE: Acting assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner 

The New South Wales Police Force have announced two permanent bases for the organised crime-focused Raptor Squad, including one in the Hunter. 

29 officers will be stationed at the Hunter-based Raptor North, alongside the Illawarra-based Raptor South and the Sydney headquarters. 

The specialist squad will focus on cracking down on organised crime across the region, and will work closely with the National Anti-Gang Squad, the NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

"We are putting criminals across regional NSW on notice with the Liberal and Nationals Government boosting the NSW Police Force's Raptor Squad," NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.  

"Every resident of our State deserves to feel safe in their communities and their homes."

It's hoped the squad will help dismantle local motorcycle gangs, and deter metropolitan organisations from expanding to the Hunter. 

Northern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner said the success of the Sydney-based Raptor Squad lead to organised crime groups spreading into regional areas.

"What we're doing is meeting that demand, meeting that risk, by basing a squad in the northern region, and they'll be targeting those people who do us harm," said Mr Tanner. 

"Having our own squad now allows us better capability in the region. They are extra positions which have been created, so we're not taking positions away from the existing Raptor. They will still continue to be supported by the metropolitan-based Raptor squads."  

"They'll be living in our communities, so they'll have better input and better buy-in, which is really one of the advantages." 

"The message is clear today, if you're going to involve yourself in any criminal activity or organised crime, the Raptor North will be there, they will looking for you, they will track you down." 

State Crime Commander Michael Fitzgerald said the Raptor Squad has a proven high-impact on the determent of organised crime, and regional bases will build on that. 

"Since Strike Force Raptor's inception in 2009 and its establishment as a standalone squad in 2021, officers have made more than 7,500 arrests across the state and laid almost 20,000 charges for a variety of offences," said Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald. 

"The Hunter and Illawarra communities can be confident, a permanent presence of the Raptor Squad in the regions will ensure a rapid response to any organised criminal activity impacting on their safety."  

Raptor Squad launches public appeal in Edgeworth assault investigation

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Raptor Squad detectives are appealing to the public in the investigation into a serious assault at Edgeworth last year. 

Around 8am on Tuesday 10 Auust 2021, two men were inside a purple Holden Commodore at a gravel carpark on the intersection of Impala Street and Main Road. 

Another two men entered the carpark in a black Audi hatchback, one of them using a knife to slash the Commodore's tyres and stabbing the passenger. 

The driver was also assaulted. 

The attackers fled the scene in the Audi, heading east on Edgeworth's Main Road.

Both injured men, aged 33, have since recovered after treatment at the John Hunter Hospital.

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a black Audi hatchback, observed in the area a short time after the incident. 

Detectives have also issued an image of a pair of distinct red and black sunglasses left at the scene. 

The driver of the Audi is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 180cm to 185cm tall, with dark coloured hair in a mohawk style. 

The Audi passenger is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall, with tattoos on his face, neck and arms, and red hair with a mohawk and mullet style haircut. 

Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.