Police alarmed at size of haul
A joint police operation targeting motorists travelling along Albany Highway after dark resulted in officers seizing an alarming collection of weapons and firearms and a large haul of synthetic cannabis taken off the streets.
The operation — run from Wednesday, April 2, until the morning of Saturday, April 5 — involved police from Narrogin, Williams, Pingelly and Brookton, as well as the Great Southern Traffic Enforcement Group.
Police were based at the Caltex roadhouse on Albany Highway in Williams targeting speeding and drink-driving as well as conducting vehicle searches.
A total of 351 vehicles were stopped during the three-night operation, where 23 people were issued speeding infringements and 11 charges were laid.
Among the more concerning items seized during vehicle searches were a stolen rifle, 15 rounds of ammunition, a homemade handgun, 25 grams of cannabis, a smoking implement, a machete, and 0.1 grams of methylamphetamine.
About 200g of synthetic cannabis was also seized from the vehicle of a 36-year-old Mt Barker man. He is yet to be charged.
A 50-year-old Albany man faces three charges including possessing an unlicensed firearm, possessing unlicensed ammunition and possessing stolen property.
He will appear in Narrogin Magistrate’s Court at a later date.
Narrogin police Senior Sergeant David McAlpine deemed the operation successful.
“Overall it was an excellent result, to have two firearms, one which was stolen in a burglary offence, and one which was a handmade one, which is even more significant, because of the cut-down style,” he said.
“The synthetic cannabis which was taken off the streets was overall an excellent result.”
Sen. Sgt McAlpine said he was not surprised by the items which were seized.
“You have to consider that the Albany Highway is the main thoroughfare for traffic from Perth to all points south, so it’s a very good indication of just what is happening on the highway,” he said.
“Where possible we will conduct further operations in the future.”
