BREAKING: Cash, weapons, drugs and bikes seized as police swoop on Orange house

October 27, 2023

Orange Police Station. Copyright: Orange News Examiner.

By Peter Holmes

A man has been charged with nine offences including "possess an unauthorised pistol", after police allegedly found numerous items during a search on Orchard Grove Road in Orange on Thursday (October 2, 2023).

"About 3.45pm (Thursday 26 October 2023), officers attached to Central West Police District executed a search warrant at a home on Orchard Grove Road, Orange, as part of investigations into the alleged supply of prohibited drugs and stolen property," NSW Police said.

"During the search, officers located cannabis, drug paraphernalia, rifles, a gel blaster, ammunition, six motorcycles, a quad bike, power tools and equipment, and a safe containing jewellery, methylamphetamine and more than $19,000 in cash."

Police said the items would undergo forensic examination.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Orange Police Station, where police said he was charged with nine offences, including:

possess prohibited drug,
possess unauthorised pistol,
two counts of possess unauthorised firearm,
two counts of possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, and
supply prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Orange Local Court today (Friday October 27, 2023).

A story about our city ...

During the day Orange's Bowen Community Technology Centre offers a free service to those who mightn't have a computer, printer or internet access. They might help with a resume, or to contact a government agency. In the afternoon dozens of primary school kids descend on the centre to get stuck into their homework.

They also may not have access to technology at home. Education is crucial in preparing the next generation to face the modern world. Orange City Council kindly donates the building. The woman behind this valuable community service is Paula Townsend. When there is enough money in the kitty, she is paid minimum wage. When there is not, she pays herself nothing.

But she always turns up. Even in school holidays, just to make sure the kids stay on the straight and narrow and have somewhere to go. The stress of running a community centre on occasional grants and donations - mostly for equipment , office supplies and insurances, not a minimum wage - is considerable.

Paula has been doing this for years. The bucket has a hole in it and there is never enough water to fill it up. She is no pushover - these computers are for work, not games - but when you spend time at the centre, you see the love the kids have for her, and she for them.

When adults have access to computers, documents and printers - something many of us take for granted - their worlds can open up. When kids can learn and get their homework done, their worlds open up, too.

If you or your business are willing to help Paula Townsend, please click on the link above.

- Peter Holmes,

Editor, The Orange News Examiner