Homemade gun triggers organised crime probe
Man, 52, charged with offences
POLICE are investigating whether a Harristown man busted building deadly automatic handguns in his backyard has links to organised crime groups in the state.
Police allege the 52-year-old man was in the process of making a MAC-10 fully automatic handgun when officers raided the Stephen St home on Thursday.
It’s believed plans for the weapon which, while untraceable and has been sent for ballistic testing, were found downloaded from the internet.
POLICE are investigating whether a Harristown man who allegedly built an automatic handgun in a backyard shipping container has links to organised crime.
Officers from the Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad raided the Stephen St home on Thursday morning where the 52-year-old man was allegedly in the process of building the gun.
TCS Acting Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Matt Howard said the discovery was concerning for police.
“Upon entering the residence, it will be alleged the male person was the process of making a MAC-10 fully automatic handgun,” he said.
Tools used to make the untraceable weapon, as well as drugs and drug utensils, were also located at the property.
“It’s very concerning,” SnrSgt Howard said.
The gun will be sent for ballistic testing as part of ongoing investigations into the discovery.
Snr-Sgt Howard said those inquiries would also probe whether the man, or the illegal gun manufacturing set-up, had links to organised crime in the region and wider Queensland.
The untraceable weapon can sell on the illegal market for more than $1500.
It is believed plans for the weapon were found on the internet.
“The firearm was just being finished being made so we don’t believe it has been used in the community,” he said.
The 52-year-old man appeared in court yesterday on a raft of charges, and was bailed to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on March 7.