A 40-year-old man has been refused bail after police seized 63 firearms and a large amount of ammunition during a raid on a property near Newcastle. Andrew David Rankmore appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday facing 96 weapons-related charges.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Justin Watson told the court that officers from Port Stephens, assisted by federal environmental agents, executed a search warrant at a home on Nelson Bay Road in Williamtown on Tuesday morning. The warrant was part of an investigation into the exportation of native birds.
During the search, police allegedly found 63 firearms, including unregistered handguns, rifles, and shotguns, along with ammunition and firearm parts. A loaded firearm was discovered in a drawer in the main bedroom, and another was reportedly found inside a sock in Mr Rankmore's pocket when he tried to flee from police.
The court heard that $17,000 in cash was found in a detached granny flat, but Mr Rankmore was not charged in relation to that. Magistrate Peach noted that the granny flat contained homemade firearm parts, and there was significant evidence of firearm manufacturing, as well as messages on Mr Rankmore's phone about buying and selling unlawful firearms.
Mr Rankmore's lawyer, Adrian Kiely, argued for bail, stating his client had no prior record for similar offenses and had never been in custody. However, Magistrate Peach refused bail, noting that while some weapons appeared to be antiques, many were not. Mr Rankmore's family members were seen sobbing in the gallery.
There was no suggestion in court that Mr Rankmore was involved in the exportation of native birds.
