Firearms, suspected drugs and weapons have been seized as part of targeted police activity across the Northern Rivers and a statewide crackdown on violent offending.
Investigations are continuing after officers attached to the Northern Rivers Region Enforcement Squad executed a compliance search at a property on Kennedy’s Lane, Ewingsdale, as part of Strike Force Cratus.
Police allege that during a search about 9.45am on Wednesday 1 April 2026, officers located and seized three 22-litre containers of iodine pellets, a jerry can containing an unidentified liquid, and substances believed to be methylamphetamine.
A crime scene was established, with police returning to the property about 8.30am on Thursday 2 April 2026 for a further search.
During the second search, officers allegedly located glassware believed to be used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine, four firearms including two rifles, a shotgun and a handgun, as well as ammunition, silencers and chemicals suspected to be drug-manufacturing precursors.
All items have been seized for forensic examination. No arrests have been made and inquiries under Strike Force Cratus are ongoing.
The operation was supported by the North Coast Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, and the Public Order and Riot Squad.
The activity coincided with Operation Foil, a statewide high-visibility policing effort targeting knife crime and weapons offences in public places.
The operation ran from Wednesday 1 April to Thursday 2 April 2026, with officers deployed across metropolitan and regional areas including transport hubs and shopping precincts.
Police conducted 2,789 knife scans and more than 1,000 personal searches, resulting in the seizure of 100 weapons including knives and firearms.
Across the operation, more than 200 people were arrested and over 400 charges laid, with 215 drug detections recorded.
Among incidents reported, a 41-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of a knife and methylamphetamine at Merewether, while a 32-year-old woman was issued a court attendance notice after police allegedly located a box cutter during a knife scan in Newcastle West.
In South Kempsey, a 26-year-old woman was arrested following a foot pursuit, with police alleging a machete was located nearby. She was charged with carrying a knife in a public place and breach of bail.
Police say investigations are ongoing in relation to both the Ewingsdale search and offences detected during Operation Foil.