Operation leads to arrests, seizures

A police operation targeting illegal possession of firearms and drugs in rural communities in the Great Southern has led to significant arrests and numerous weapons seized.

Great Southern police on Friday revealed the results of the extensive operation in the Katanning and Kojonup areas in which 17 people are facing various drug and weapons charges.

Four people were arrested from the operation while 13 were summonsed to appear in court for a total of 57 charges.

Great Southern police are expected to continue targeting crime in rural communities with rifles, handguns and a silencer were seized from the various search warrants. About 1000 rounds of ammunition were also recovered while 80g of methamphetamine was seized.

Charges stemming from the raids include possession of unlawfully altered firearms, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of a silencer, possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, cultivating a prohibited plant and possessing unlawfully obtained property.

Albany detectives and officers from stations in the Great Southern conducted the raids in response to a rising number of burglaries in Kojonup recently.

Police request locals continue to relay any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.