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"Clandestine laboratory", guns, tasers and drugs found in Orange; site remains a "hot zone" tonight
September 15, 2022
By Peter Holmes
On Thursday night, as the sun set over the city and the rain bucketed down, only a Hazmat crew and Fire & Rescue remained in place at a property on Warrendine Street.
Pedestrians were advised that the area was a "hot zone" and would need to walk around the Hazmat and Fire & Rescue trucks or cross the road.
A hot zone is defined by the NSW government as: "The area of actual or impending contamination as defined by the Fire and Rescue NSW Commander in consultation with the Site Controller/Police Forward Command".
A garage was open at the property, the light from inside illuminating items such as a punching bag and a speaker that could blow the eardrums of anyone who stood too close.
Detectives had left the property earlier carrying a number of items.
According to a police statement: "About 10.40am yesterday (Wednesday September 14, 2022) officers attached to Central West Police District attended a home the property after receiving information regarding firearms at the location.
"A search warrant was executed, where detectives located and seized a number of firearms including a shot gun and rifles, tasers, ammunition, prohibited drugs and equipment used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs."
The items will undergo further examination.
A crime scene was established after a clandestine laboratory was located, police said.
Detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad were notified and attended to facilitate its dismantling today (Thursday September 15, 2022).
The occupant of the home – a 29-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station where he was charged with 16 offences:
- Three counts of possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority;
- Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm;
- Four counts of possess unauthorised firearm;
- Possess unregistered firearms without licence/permit;
- Five counts of Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit;
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority;
- Possess prohibited drug, and;
- Possess tablet press or drug encapsulator.
He was refused bail to appear at Orange Local Court tomorrow (Friday September 16, 2022).
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