Police from the New England Police District Rural Crime Prevention Team have wrapped up an operation targeting illegal hunting and rural crime in Moree and the surrounding area.
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Police patrolled various properties, state forests and national parks in the Moree, Gurley, Bellata, Berrigal and Terry Hie Hie areas as part of the two-day blitz.
At 8.30pm, police saw a red Toyota 4x4 travelling through the Couradda National Park.
The vehicle had two hunting dogs on board which were fitted with breast plates, and another two dogs were running nearby, police said.
The 28-year-old male driver and male passenger, both from Narrabri, are set to face charges for hunt animal in park and have control of dog with hunting collar or breast plate equipment in public or park.
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The driver was also found to have a large hunting knife attached to his belt and was in possession of a small amount of cannabis, police allege.
He is expected to face additional charges of carrying a knife and possessing a prohibited drug.
About 10.40pm, police stopped a white Holden Rodeo dual-cab utility on Mellburra Road near the Moema National Park.
As police approached the vehicle, a small package containing cannabis was seen to be thrown from the window, officers allege.
The driver, an 18-year-old man from Narrabri, was issued a court attendance notice for possessing a prohibited drug.
Police conducted checks on three hunting dogs which were on the rear of the utility and two passengers were issued with infringement notices for dog registration offences.
“The Rural Crime Prevention Team is continuing these operations over coming months and if you're hunting illegally, you can expect to be caught,” a police spokesperson said.
“Anyone with information about illegal hunting can report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”