Two men to face court on numerous firearms charges

Police from the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant on Sunday, June 27 at a local cattle station in relation to an alleged cattle theft.

As a result, police seized 25 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

One of the revolvers found was allegedly reported stolen, while police further seized a quantity of fireworks and part of a protected animal species.

A 70-year-old man was charged with seven counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, two counts of possessing an unlicensed firearm, six counts of failure to meet firearms storage requirements, one count of failure to meet ammunition storage requirements, one count of possessing protected wildlife, and one count of possessing fireworks outside the approved period.

A 30-year-old man was charged with five counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, seven counts of possessing an unlicensed firearm, one count of possessing ammunition without a licence, seven counts of failure to meet firearms storage requirements, one count of failure to meet ammunition storage requirements, one count of possessing protected wildlife, one count of possessing a prohibited weapon, and one count of possessing fireworks outside the approved period.

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Detective acting senior sergeant Ian Kennon said NT Police remained on the offending station for a four-day period and in that time recovered more than 370 stolen cattle, valued at nearly $700,000.

"Police are further investigating a large quantity of calves located, some of which are believed to be stolen," he said.

Mr Kennon said since the implementation of Taskforce Starlight - a joint operation between NT Police and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade - in late 2020, there had been an increase in the number of reports of this type of offending.

"All matters reported to police will be investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted where possible," he said.

"If you believe you have been a victim of stock theft please call 131 444."

Both men are scheduled to appear in the Katherine Local Court on September 15.

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