Weapons and explosives discovered at a 72-year-old man's property in Cairns, Queensland


Terrifying cache of weapons and explosives discovered at a 72-year-old man’s property – including a 55-calibre rifle, 100kg of fireworks and disturbing silencers

  • Detectives searched the 72-year-old’s 100-acre estate following public tip-offs
  • They allegedly found hundreds of kymograms of ammunition and about 24 rifles
  • Police alleged the man had been collecting the firearms for about three decades

Explosive experts have uncovered 100kg of fireworks, firearms, hundreds of kilograms of explosives and volatile liquid mercury at an elderly man’s property.

Detectives searched the 72-year-old’s estate in Eubenangee, near Cairns in Far North Queensland, on Tuesday following tip-offs from the public.

About 24 firearms were allegedly found in shipping containers strew across the 100-acre property during the police operation, including a working .55 calibre anti-tank rifle from WWII, two semi-automatic rifles, and a series of silencers and detonators. 

Mine experts were called to perform a series of controlled explosions in a four-day effort to ensure the area was safe for officials. 

Police allegedly found 24 rifles (pictured) on the property of a 72-year-old man on Tuesday

Police allegedly found 24 rifles (pictured) on the property of a 72-year-old man on Tuesday

Detectives also allegedly found hundreds of kilograms of ammunition (pictured) and had to call in mine experts to ensure the area was safe

Detectives also allegedly found hundreds of kilograms of ammunition (pictured) and had to call in mine experts to ensure the area was safe

Police allege the man had been collecting arms for decades but did not suggest he was actively using them.

Far North police Det Acting Insp Kevin Goan told Cairns Post police were concerned the materials could be used to manufacture explosives if they fell into the wrong hands.

‘Some of the weapons and ordnance, had they gone into the wrong hands could quite easily have been appropriated for nefarious use which would likely have been hugely problematic to police and other members of the community,’ he said. 

Detectives allege some of the weapons were acquired by the man in the early 1970s and predating anti-gun legislation drafted decades later in the ’90s, but he did not register the arms or dispose of them.

Far North police Det Acting Insp Kevin Goan said police were concerned the materials could be used to manufacture explosives if they fell into the wrong hands. Pictured: A rifle allegedly found on the property

Far North police Det Acting Insp Kevin Goan said police were concerned the materials could be used to manufacture explosives if they fell into the wrong hands. Pictured: A rifle allegedly found on the property

Pictured: A gun allegedly found on the property

Pictured: Weapons allegedly found on the property

The man was hit with a string of charges, including four counts of unlawful possession of weapons

The man was hit with a string of charges, including four counts of unlawful possession of weapons, one count of unlawful possession of 10 or more weapons, three counts of authority required to possess explosives.

He was also charged with two counts of prohibition on possession of particular magazine and one count each of secure storage of weapons, fail to take care and fail to store small ammunition and power device.

He will appear at Innisfail Magistrates Court on May 3.

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