A newly formed police taskforce has made a significant impact on crime in the state’s north during its first month of operation.
Taskforce Raven has arrested 28 people, laid over 116 charges, seized five firearms and recovered approximately $12,000 worth of stolen property since its launch on February 3.
Detective Inspector Nathan Johnston said the results show the taskforce is working.
The charges laid span multiple criminal categories including firearms-related offences, theft, bail violations, burglary, aggravated burglary and driving offences.
In the taskforce’s most recent operation, officers conducted a targeted search in George Town resulting in the arrest of a 29-year-old man for firearms possession and family violence offences.
During the same search, police discovered drug paraphernalia and cannabis, leading to minor drug charges against a 30-year-old woman at the same address.
A subsequent search of a second George Town residence resulted in the seizure of an airsoft gas-powered handgun, an M4 gel blaster, a taser and small quantities of illicit substances.
A 32-year-old woman will now face charges over the seized firearms.
The arrested George Town man remains in custody and will appear before the court at a later date.
“Taskforce Raven is just one of a number of strategies and our members will continue to proactively target known offenders to make our community safer for everyone,” Johnston said.
