Police seize weapons, drugs at house

Police have seized prohibited weapons and a drug haul with an estimated street value of $225,000 from a Broome premises.

Officer-in-charge of Broome detectives, Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Baddock, said 4.5kg of cannabis, drug implements and two crossbows were found on Wednesday morning.

“We’ll be alleging that this person was involved in trafficking and distribution of drugs,” Det. Sen. Sgt Baddock said.

He said police attended a residence in the Broome central business district at about 9am.

“The drugs were located in a toolbox which was secured with a padlock in a spare bedroom of the house,” Det. Sen. Sgt Baddock said.

“This person’s bank accounts have been frozen.”

Detectives have charged a 45-year-old Broome man with various drug-related offences.

“It’s quite disturbing to have weapons of this nature out in the community; we’re glad that they’re off the street and not going to be used against any person either deliberately or accidentally,” Det. Sen. Sgt Baddock said.

“Obviously we have some extra officers in Broome at the moment and we seized the opportunity to use those resources.”

About 25 Broome officers were involved in the operation, as well as officers from the Perth-based regional operations group.

Det. Sen. Sgt Baddock said the seizure would have a “significant impact” on the Kimberley community.

“This is huge even in Perth terms, it’s a large seizure and then you put it into perspective of a small country town like Broome; it’s absolutely massive,” he said.