Cops uncover stash of submachine guns made by crooks using 3D printers during drug bust
Could 3D-printed weapons be the way crooks get hold of weapons in the future?
3D-printed machine guns have been seized by cops during raids on weapon labs across the Gold Coast in Australia.
Four homemade automatic submachine guns, silencers, ammunition, a replica handgun and a .45 calibre pistol were discovered as police swooped in on two Nerang businesses.
It's believed the equipment used to make these weapons were the most sophisticated of its kind found in Queensland.
As well as the 3D printer, the impressive equipment included computers, drill presses and other gun parts.
Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker believes the raids last Friday have closed down an ice and weapons trafficking network across the Gold Coast.
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He said: “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.
“In the wrong hands they present as a significant threat to the public.”
Two men, aged 30 and 33, are helping police with their investigations.
Cops also found cannabis, GHB and steroids at four residential properties during a series of raids.
Five people have been charged with a total of 25 drugs offences.
Mr Wacker added: “Part of the reason the warrants were executed on Friday was to target and disrupt the distribution of drugs for schoolies."
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