18.6 C
Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Man charged over alleged firearms offences at Drake

Latest News

Green Heroes among 2026 NSW Environment Award winners

The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.

Other News

Thank you!

On Thursday I slipped on the wet Mercato travelator, then three beautiful angel women helped me up. Thank you,...

Surfboard shapers swap the sander for the microphone at Lennox

Surfers can spend hours arguing about the merits of a board. On Friday, they can hear from three men who have spent decades making them.

What does the US blue tsunami mean for us?

In a stunning repudiation of Donald Trump and the Republican Party he remade in his image, US voters have chosen alternative candidates across the country in midterm elections.

Jewellery theft leaves Bangalow artists without work to sell before Christmas

Hundreds of handmade jewellery pieces have been stolen from a Bangalow artists’ collective, leaving some members without any work to sell ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period.

Vale Robin Harrison aka Professor Cuddlebumps

Robin Harrison, aka Professor Cuddlebumps and Apprentice Earth Wizard, was a much-loved figure and friend to many in the Caldera and Byron Shire. He was a performer, an activist, a change maker and sustainability advocate extraordinaire.

I’m not a robot

In the microseconds it takes AI agents to tick the ‘I’m not a robot’ checkbox, do they have a...

A man has been charged following an investigation into alleged firearm offences at Drake, about 65km west of Casino.

About 10.30am Tuesday, 17 June, police attended a property on Mudflat Road, Drake, as part of an ongoing investigation.

A search warrant was executed at the property by police attached to Richmond Police District, assisted by the Tactical Operations Group, PolAir, Region Enforcement Squad and Rural Crime Investigators.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized several items of intertest including two firearms, ammunition, cannabis, police overalls, and electronics.

Following inquiries, a 56-year-old man was arrested in Casino a short time later.

He was taken Casino Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences:

  • Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (four counts)
  • Possess unauthorised firearm (two counts)
  • Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm (two counts)
  • Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority (two counts)
  • Supply prohibited drug (greater than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity)
  • Possess prohibited drug, and
  • Goods suspected stolen in/on premises.

He was refused bail to appear before Casino Local Court Wednesday 18 June, where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Thursday, 10 July, 2025.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Remembrance Day 2026: 11am, 11 November

It is estimated that in WWl there were 20 million dead and 20 million injured. From a population base of fewer than five million,...

Love books? Join Friends of the Library

Friends of the Libraries, Byron Shire are looking for some fresh, new, younger faces to join the group and help keep it moving forward.

Racehorses shot for pet food by NSW breeder

Thirteen thoroughbred horses deemed no longer useful, have been destroyed with eight horses destroyed by firearm at Berkeley Park Stud.

Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club youngsters shine

Two young members of Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club have delivered outstanding performances at the Paddle NSW State Sprint Championships, held at the Penrith International Regatta Centre over the weekend.