A man has been charged with stalking and kidnapping after cops discovered a series of firearms wrapped in plastic and stashed inside a wooden crate.
Officers carried out a ‘high-risk’ search warrant at the sprawling property in Walkerston, located 14km southwest of Mackay, on June 18.
In video of the 39-year-old man’s arrest, he appears shirtless and barefoot as officers force his hands behind his back and place handcuffs around his wrists.
The man was then led to a waiting police vehicle wearing an unzipped hoodie.
Police allege officers discovered semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines with ammunition while searching the property.
The weapons were found wrapped in plastic and stashed inside a crate beside a large double-door fridge and a microwave.
The man has since been charged with seven offences, including two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon (rifle), and one count each of unlawful stalking, deprivation of liberty, possession of explosives (ammunition) without authority, and possession of drug utensils.
He is scheduled to reappear in Mackay Magistrates Court on September 8.
Acting Inspector Scott Ingram praised the efforts of local officers and reinforced the region’s commitment to tackling domestic and family violence.
‘The Mackay Whitsundays District is dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and taking firm action against offenders,’ he said.
‘Everyone has the right to live without fear of domestic and family violence.’
The arrest comes just a day after a 27-year-old man was charged in Nanango, regional Queensland, for unlawful possession of firearms.
Officers carried out the raid at a home on Old Esk North Road on Wednesday and allegedly located a firearm and a quantity of cannabis.
The man has been charged with three offences including one count each of unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing dangerous drugs, and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.
The raid in Walkerston forms part of Operation Whiskey Firestorm, a Queensland Police initiative targeting illegal firearms and weapons across the state.
The crackdown comes in response to alarming 2024 data, which saw more than 1,055 firearm licences revoked and over 3,290 firearm-related offences recorded, including attempted murder, armed robbery, assault, and unlawful entry.