The State Crime Command's outlaw motorcycle gang investigation squad has charged two men in Newcastle, after detectives discovered a replica gun during an inquiry into alleged bushfire grant fraud.
Raptor Squad police, along with officers from the Northern Region Operations Support Group, raided a home on Ocean Street at Merewether early on Thursday, seizing a replica Glock pistol and electronic items.
They arrested a 31-year-old man near the unit a short time later and he was charged with one count of dishonestly obtaining advantage by deception.
A 29-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station about midday on Thursday and was charged with possessing an unregistered pistol.
They have both been granted conditional bail. The 31-year-old will face court on September 29 and the 29-year-old will appear the following day.
Raptor Squad detectives formed Strike Force Fireant last August to investigate the alleged involvement of outlaw bikies in fraudulently claiming disaster relief money from the NSW government.
They have charged 16 people so far - 12 men and four women aged between 23 and 40. The strike force's investigations are ongoing.
