FOUR Hay men facing a raft of illegal firearms charges were refused bail in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday.
John Christopher Mirabelli, Frank Ruberto, Steve John Harris and Morgan Cox had their cases adjourned until December 16.
Mirabelli’s charges include supplying a pistol, supplying ammunition, supplying prohibited firearms to unauthorised persons and not keeping a prohibited firearm safely. It will be alleged that on May 1 Mirabelli supplied a prohibited firearm – a Bentley Semi Automatic Shotgun to a police witness.
On May 17 it’s alleged he supplied a prohibited .22 calibre Taurus Semi Automatic pistol to a police witness.
It is further alleged that he supplied a shotgun and an air rifle to a police witness on May 28.
It will be alleged that on September 1 he was in possession of 12 unregistered firearms. He is also facing a charge of supplying 18 firearms on four separate occasions in a 12 month period.
Ruberto allegedly supplied prohibited firearms including three 12 gauge shotguns, three .22 calibre rifles, two .410 shotguns and four .303 rifles on September 1.
He is also charged with supplying ammunition and dealing with the proceeds of crime – $2000 from the sale of firearms. Harris is charged with supplying firearms to unauthorised persons.
On June 25 it is alleged Harris supplied a SKS Assault Rifle and a Baretta handgun to a police witness.
It is further alleged that on that day he also supplied a pro firearm sawn off 12 gauge shotgun to an unauthorised person.
On July 12 it is alleged he supplied a BK 303 rifle.
Cox is charged with supplying firearms to unauthorised persons.
It is alleged that on July 13 he knowingly took part in the supply of a firearm – a Lithgow .22 rifle and a BK 303 rifle – to a police witness.
The four men were arrested on September 3 after three search warrants were executed in Hay.
The four were charged with ongoing gun supply.
The searches were carried out by Strike Force Charker, which was initiated in January to combat the supply of drugs and illegal firearms in the Hay area.
Police seized drugs, guns and a plane in the western Riverina as part of an eight month investigation into cross-border drug and firearm supply.
In the eight months of Charker’s existence, police have seized 38 guns, 100 ecstasy pills and a small amount of ice.
