Police say they found four homemade automatic weapons along with silencers and ammunition at two Nerang businesses

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A highly sophisticated weapons production facility using 3D printers and computers to make machine guns has been uncovered in a series of raids across the Gold Coast.

Police say they found four homemade automatic submachine guns, silencers, ammunition, a replica handgun, a .45 calibre pistol and equipment used to make weapons at two Nerang businesses, as well as a pill press.

The equipment used to make the weapons included computers, a 3D printer, drill presses and other gun parts and is believed to be the most sophisticated of its kind found in Queensland.

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“The weapons seized are yet to be tested, however, weapons of this type have the capacity to fire hundreds of rounds of ammunition a minute,” Det Supt Jon Wacker said. “In the wrong hands they present as a significant threat to the public.”

Two males, aged 30 and 33, are assisting police in their investigations into the weapons lab.

Drugs including cannabis, GHB and steroids were also found at four residential properties. Five people have been charged with a total of 25 drugs offences.



Police believe the raids last Friday have closed down an ice and weapons trafficking network across the Gold Coast.



“Part of the reason the warrants were executed on Friday was to target and disrupt the distribution of drugs for schoolies,” Wacker said, referring to the annual school-leavers’ celebrations in the region.