Police say military-grade firearms and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of amphetamines were seized during an operation involving officers across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria on Tuesday.
Investigators from Strike Force Ranson executed two search warrants at properties in Lismore and Ballina on the NSW north coast today.
Acting Superintendent Cameron Lindsay, from the Richmond Police District, said he was glad the guns were off the streets.
"Illegal weapons and firearms that were of a military grade [were seized]," he said.
"We were extremely concerned by the type of firearms and weapons that we were able to seize as part of this investigation.
"I believe that there is no use for a firearm like the one that we have displayed today and we will now allege has been seized as part of this investigation.
"These firearms have no place in this area."
Multiple arrests
A 28-year-old man was arrested at Ballina and charged with a number of offences including the supply and manufacture of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, and supplying prohibited firearms, firearm parts and ammunition.
He has been refused bail and will appear in the Lismore Local Court on Wednesday.
The Queensland State Crime Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group executed three search warrants at homes in Highland Park, Mudgeeraba and Ashmore on the Gold Coast.
Two men, aged 27 and 36 were arrested.
Detectives also seized firearms and a pill press allegedly used in the manufacture of MDMA pills.
Victoria Police also executed two search warrants at homes in the Melbourne suburbs of Abbotsford and Balaclava.
Two 27-year-old men were arrested during the searches.
'We're at the top end of this syndicate'
Strike force detectives will apply for the extradition of three men, two from Queensland and one from Victoria, to New South Wales tomorrow.
Acting Superintendent Lindsay said police would allege those arrested were part of a large-scale operation involving the manufacture and supply of MDMA and methylamphetamine.
"We are talking about a large commercial supply," he said.
"So we're at the top end of this syndicate, we believe.
"We're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs moving across borders and into this area."
