Airgun, drugs and steroids: Lane Cove West home raided in national firearms crackdown

26 October 2026

Black airgun with a carbon barrel and air cylinder standing upright in a cluttered room next to a printer — A privately made airgun seized during a search of a Lane Cove West home by NSW Police and the Australian Border Force. Photo: NSW Police Force

Nope. It’s not a teenager on an e-bike this time.

Lane Cove West landed in the middle of a national crackdown on illegal firearms last week. Australian Border Force (ABF) and NSW Police officers executed a search warrant at a home in the suburb about 5.15am on Friday 23 October.

Plastic tub full of loose bullets, and two rows of red and white shotgun shells on a blue sheet — Ammunition and shotgun shells police say were seized in Lane Cove West. Photo: NSW Police Force

Police allege they found a privately made airgun, ammunition, knives, slingshots, prohibited drugs and steroids at the property.

A man was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station. Police have not released his name or age.

Knuckle dusters, a folding knife, lighter, torch and mobile phone laid out on a bed sheet — Knuckle dusters, a folding knife and other items police say were found in Lane Cove West. Photo: NSW Police Force

The charges

The man was charged with:

possess unauthorised firearm
two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
possess ammunition without holding a licence, permit or authority
intentionally import prohibited tier 2 goods without approval
possess prohibited drug
two counts of supply prohibited drug greater than an indictable quantity
possess or attempt to possess an anabolic or androgenic steroidal agent

Black AR-style rifle with a forensic scale, and four green grenades lined up on a brown evidence bag — A rifle and four grenades seized during the statewide operation. Photo: NSW Police Force

Yes, an airgun. In NSW airguns are classed as firearms under the law. Owning one without a licence is a firearms offence.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 25 November 2026. None of the charges have been tested in court.

Tan pistol beside a forensic scale and a black pistol with a magazine and holster on blue evidence sheets — Two pistols seized during the statewide week of action on illicit firearms. Photo: NSW Police Force

Our readers were onto it first

An ITC reader messaged our tip line on Saturday about police activity at a home in Lane Cove West. We asked NSW Police and today they confirmed what happened as part of their statewide results.

Thank you to that reader. If you see something happening locally you can message us on WhatsApp (text only) on 0470 490 417. We always protect our sources.

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Part of a national week of action

The Lane Cove West raid was one of dozens across the state during a week of action run by the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, formerly known as Operation Athena. The group brings together police from every Australian jurisdiction, federal agencies and NZ Police.

Between Monday 19 and Sunday 25 October, NSW Police and the ABF:

arrested 39 people and laid 111 charges
seized 230 illicit firearms and 33 firearm parts
seized more than 1000 rounds of ammunition, seven imitation firearms and 79 other prohibited weapons
found one privately made or 3D-printed firearm
executed 12 warrants and issued 21 Firearm Prohibition Orders
carried out 819 safe storage inspections

Other raids that made the police list were in Moore Creek near Tamworth, South Lismore and Kurri Kurri.

Commander of State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said every illegal firearm seized was “one less weapon that can be used to threaten, intimidate or seriously harm members of our community.”

ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Shaun Baker said criminals were looking for new ways to get firearms, including importing parts that can be assembled into working weapons.

“The growing use of privately manufactured firearms and 3D-printed weapons presents a significant challenge for law enforcement, but it is one we are actively addressing alongside our state and federal partners.”

Not the first time in Lane Cove

Firearms stories are rare around here. Rare but not unheard of.

In 2020 the ABF allegedly intercepted firearm parts in parcels addressed to a local man. Read the story.
In November 2019 replica firearms, cocaine and more than $80,000 in cash were found in a Lane Cove apartment. Read the story.
In July 2019 three men were charged with drug possession and firearms offences in Lane Cove. Read the story.
In April 2019 a Lane Cove man was charged with drug and firearms offences. Read the story.
And who could forget the man who allegedly waved a “gun” at a rider while trying to steal a motorbike in Lane Cove North in 2023.

For more local police news see our Crime Watch: Lane Cove & Surrounds page.

Got information?

Anyone with information about illegal firearms or organised crime can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed confidentially. Police ask that you don’t report information through NSW Police social media pages.

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