Police seized these items, alleged to be replica firearms, during a raid in Nelligen on 20 May. Photo: South Coast Police District Facebook.
UPDATED, 21 November: Prosecutors have dropped all charges against a man who was arrested after police allegedly seized replica firearms on the NSW South Coast.
Florian Peter Fortuna was arrested on 20 May and handed four charges.
Two charges were withdrawn before the matter returned to the Batemans Bay Local Court on 21 November and the last two charges – which were acquiring a firearm subject to a prohibition order and possessing an unauthorised pistol – were also withdrawn and dismissed.
EARLIER, 21 May: A police raid on a home west of Batemans Bay by the state’s bikie busters has allegedly resulted in the seizure of replica guns, a baton and drugs – and brought about a man’s arrest.
In November 2024, police began investigating the alleged possession of illegal firearms in the area.
Early on Tuesday morning (20 May), police officers executed a search warrant at a house on the Kings Highway in Nelligen with the help of NSW’s bikie-busting Raptor Squad.
“During a search of the house, police allegedly located several replica firearms, a baton and an amount of drugs,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
Florian Peter Fortuna, a 69-year-old man from the Eurobodalla, was arrested at the scene and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.
He was charged with two counts of acquiring a firearm subject to a prohibition order as well as single counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol and possessing an unauthorised firearm.
He faced the Bega Local Court on Wednesday (21 May) where he was granted bail on conditions including that he report to a police station every day.
The matter was adjourned to the Batemans Bay Local Court on 2 June.
Thanks Edwina for this story and I must admit I missed it. Great news whenever any endangered native… View