Tag Archives: oceania

Silicone mask, grenade, guns and 15k rounds of ammunition found stashed in storage unit

A man has been charged after $140,000 and multiple weapons, including a grenade, loaded guns and 15,000 rounds of live ammunition were seized following multiple raids across Sydney's south-west.

Police began an investigation on Monday after reports that firearms and ammunition were found inside a storage unit on Milperra Road in Revesby.

Authorities were called, and a crime scene was established.

A lifelike silicone mask seized by police.

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A search warrant was then executed at the storage unit, and police seized a "flashbang" grenade, seven firearms, three gel blasters, 15,000 rounds of live ammunition, numerous loaded and unloaded magazines and seven ballistic vests.

The haul also included 16 electronic stun devices, handcuffs, firearms parts, including silencers, tracking devices, knives, electronic devices, a security uniform, and life-like silicone head masks.

A 39-year-old man was later arrested at around 10.15am following a vehicle stop on The Avenue Road in Yagoona and was taken to Bankstown Police Station.

A rifle was among the seven firearms seized.Another of the rifles found.

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Police later conducted three more search warrants at a property on The Avenue, Yagoona, a second property on Keswick Street in Georges Hall, and a storage facility in Moorebank.

One loaded pistol, a loaded revolver, two firearms, firearm parts, six magazines, two silencers, mobile phones and about $140,000 cash were found in the searches and later seized by police.

A flashbang grenade was found in the storage container.15,000 rounds of ammunition were found.

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The 39-year-old has been charged with 60 offences, including the possession of multiple unregistered firearms, the possession of unauthorised and prohibited firearms.

He was refused bail and will appear before Bankstown Local Court today. 

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Bupa fined $35m for misleading thousands of customers for over five years

Bupa has been handed a $35 million fine for misleading customers, hospitals and medical providers about its private health insurance benefits.

The health provider was found to have told members they were unable to receive benefits for mixed coverage and uncategorised item claims between May 2018 to August 2023, when they were actually entitled to those benefits.

More than 4100 claims were affected by behaviour the federal court ruled as false, misleading, deceptive, and unconscionable.

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A Bupa health insurance sign.

These claims were mostly for hospital treatments where two or more procedures were performed at the same time.

Some were for claims where only part of the treatment was covered by a member's policy.

Medical providers and hospitals also did not receive the money they were entitled to.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) began court action against the nation's second-largest private health insurer in June.

Today, the federal court has ordered Bupa to pay $35 million and abide by a five-year injuction prohibting the provider from breaching the rules.

Bupa has paid back most of the affected customers $14.3 million relating to more than 4100 claims. 

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The government has released a plan aimed at increasing the number of patients treated through elective surgery.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said Bupa's actions were "extremely serious" as thousands of customers suffered financial harm, pain, suffering and emotional distress.

"Some of Bupa's members decided to cancel, delay or forego necessary treatment, resulting in potential medical risks or complications, because they were incorrectly told they were not entitled to health insurance benefits," she said.

"Private health insurance can be a significant expense for consumers, and people rightly expect to receive the level of coverage they pay for."

Bupa accepted the court decision and apologised to its customers.

"We remain deeply sorry for these errors and have apologised to our affected customers for the impact this has had on them and their families and have taken actions to ensure this doesn't occur again," the provider said in a statement. 

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