Mokowhiti Katene Rikihana charged after police seize shotguns and drugs during raid on home in Forrestfield

Police have seized guns along with drugs and other weapons after raiding a home in Perth’s eastern suburbs on Tuesday. Detectives from the gang crime squad have charged 36-year-old man Mokowhiti Katene Rikihana with several firearm offences after searching the address in Forrestfield. Mr Rikihana was first arrested by police on Tuesday in the carpark of Hakea Prison on Nicholson Road in Canning Vale concerning a separate matter. He was then taken to an address in Forrestfield, where police executed a Firearms Act search warrant. “It will be alleged during a search of the home, officers located a 20-gauge single-shot shotgun and a .22 calibre pump-action rifle. The rifle was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition,” a police spokeswoman said. “Police also located a black gel blaster ‘hand gun’, knuckle dusters as well as various quantities of cannabis and steroids. The 36-year-old from Forrestfield was charged with 11 offences including, four counts of possessed a prohibited drug and two counts, each of unlicensed person possess firearm/ammunition and possess firearm with circumstances of aggravation. Mr Rikihana did not enter any pleas when he appeared in the Armadale Magistrates Court today. Bail was not considered, and he was remanded into custody to face the same court on September 19. Gang Crime Squad Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Thompson said his officers would continue to target such people. “Whether the firearms are used to commit offences or used to cause fear to victims who may be targeted, the risk of a person being seriously injured or killed in a confrontation increases when a firearm is present,” he said. “We have seen the reckless disregard for community safety shown by outlaw motorcycle gang members and associates, including incidents involving firearms being discharged, so we know the removal of these firearms has made our community safer. “We will continue to ensure OMCG members and associates who engage in criminal activities will be put before the courts to face the consequences of their offending.”