General News
3 November, 2026
Raid uncovers snakes and guns
SNAKES, stolen firearms and ammunition have been allegedly uncovered during raids on two Mareeba properties, as a Tablelands crime unit reached a milestone of 1006 charges against 279 people since it was established eight months ago.
The Tablelands Property Crime Unit, which is made up of plain clothes and General Duties officers, targets high-risk property offenders causing the most harm across Atherton, Mareeba and the wider Tablelands region.
On 20 October, officers executed two search warrants at a Palm Close property and a Reynolds Street shed, allegedly finding a stolen .22 rifle, a stolen double barrel shot gun, ammunition, a stolen number plate, a cancelled number plate and drug utensils.
It will be alleged the firearms were stolen from a Malanda address in 2016 and a Dimbulah address between 2025 and 2026.
Police also located three carpet pythons for which the man allegedly did not hold a licence.Investigations in relation to the pythons are ongoing.
A 46-year-old man was charged with three counts of possess tainted property, two counts of unlawful possession of a category A weapon, and authority required to possess explosives.
He is due to appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 23 November.
Detective Acting Inspector Tony Law said the Tablelands Property Crime Unit had recovered almost $500,000 worth of stolen property since it was established in February.
“In just eight months, the Tablelands Property Crime Unit has shown dedication to investigating property thefts, burglaries, vehicle thefts and other offences,” he said.
“Our officers live and work in the Tablelands community and understand the impacts these property offences have on families and businesses.
“We will continue to target property offenders and want them to know if they won’t slither out of our grasp if they cause harm to the community.”
