Strike Force Patto, comprising detectives from Chifley Local Area Command, was formed in July 2014 to investigate the sale and supply of firearms and prohibited drugs in the area.

On Wednesday, October 29, officers from Chifley Local Area Command, with the assistance of police from Orana, Mudgee, Canobolas and the Dog Unit, conducted five search warrants at premises in Bathurst, Kelso and Mount Rankin.

During the search of a business on Lambert Street in Bathurst police located nearly 200gm of methylamphetamines.

A house on Casey Circuit, West Bathurst was also searched with police seizing further amounts of methylamphetamines as well as cash.

Police also searched a storage container at a property on Toronto Street, Kelso where they located nine rifles, railway detonators and explosives, canisters of OC spray, a stun-gun device, large amounts of ammunition as well as computers and electronic equipment believed to be stolen.

The entire container was seized by police with the contents to undergo further examinations.

Two men, aged 32 and 39, were arrested during the operation and taken to Bathurst Police Station where they were spoken to by investigators.

The 32-year-old man from West Bathurst was charged with 27 offences including possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, goods in custody, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess ammunition, deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited weapon.

He was refused bail to appear in Bathurst Local Court today.

The 39-year-old man from Mount Rankin was charged with supply prohibited drug and granted conditional bail to appear in Bathurst Local Court on Monday, December 1.

Investigations by Strike Force Patto are continuing.

Police have urged anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.