EXOTIC animals and native wildlife have been seized from a Williamtown property after a raid last week led to police uncovering a cache of guns.
Federal environmental officers discovered 21 birds, turtles and imported geckos, as well as illegally-kept sugar gliders, green tree frogs and an Australian gecko at the Nelson Bay Road home.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has been investigating the alleged import and possession of exotic birds in a sting codenamed Operation Carmen.
An investigation was launched in October 2023 after information about exotic birds was reported through the authority's website, and officers homed in on the Williamtown property.
Police from the Port Stephens Hunter Proactive Crime Team, backed by federal environmental officers, raided the home at about 6.30am on August 20.
Andrew David Rankmore, 40, allegedly tried to run but was stopped and searched by police.
Officers allegedly discovered a firearm on him, and another search of the property revealed 49 unregistered handguns, 14 unregistered rifles or shotguns, ammunition, gun parts, drugs, chemicals to make gun power, silver bullion and $15,000 cash, according to police.
He was refused bail on 96 charges in Raymond Terrace Local Court the day after his arrest and will remain behind bars ahead of his next court date in September.
The charges laid by NSW Police were unrelated to the federal wildlife investigation, which the DCCEEW confirmed on Monday was continuing.
No charges had been laid in connection with the seized animals at that time.
The raid at Williamtown on August 20 resulted in the seizure of 17 birds listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The species included Hispaniolan amazon; blue-headed parrot; scaly-headed parrot; and blue-eyed, umbrella, and Moluccan cockatoos; as well as two leopard geckos and two red-eared slider turtles.
Live native animals like sugar gliders, green tree frogs and a thick-tailed gecko, which authorities claim were kept at the premises without the appropriate licences, were also seized.
