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AAP
AAP
National
Tiffanie Turnbull

Hundreds of guns seized during police op

Police have seized 823 firearms and arrested 38 people as part of a national week of action. (AAP)

More than 800 firearms have been seized and 38 people arrested in a nationwide crackdown on illegal guns.

Operation Athena, jointly run by state and federal police forces across Australia, also netted a number of high ranking outlaw motorcycle club members between March 15 to 21.

Two patched members of the Bros. Outlaw Motorcycle Gang's Yarraville Chapter were issued with Firearm Prohibition Orders in Victoria, and a 26-year-old was arrested after a sawn-off firearm, ammunition, knuckledusters and nun chucks were seized in the ACT.

In NSW, a 33-year-old man was arrested and charged near Wagga Wagga on firearms and drug-related offences.

Police will allege the man is a senior member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and attempted to import prohibited firearms parts.

All up, 823 firearms were seized, 38 arrests made, 238 Firearms Prohibition orders issued and 23 search warrants executed.

Some 25 dealers were also inspected, and 1545 safe storage checks conducted.

National Anti-Gangs Squad Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur said the operation proved how critical coordination between police forces is in addressing illegal firearms and organised crime.

"Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs believe they can operate outside the law - and we're here to remind them they cannot," he said.

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