Improvised explosive device detonated at Somersby

A man has been charged after a group were allegedly seen detonating an improvised explosive device at Somersby on Wednesday, June 10.

About 2:30pm, a 40-year- old man and two other men attended an abandoned bridge near the intersection of Dog Trap Rd and Mangrove Rd at Somersby. Offi cers attached to Brisbane Water Local Area Command were later contacted after a witness allegedly saw the trio detonate an improvised explosive device. Police stopped the men in a vehicle on Mangrove Rd at Narara a short time later. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized numerous substances and a mobile phone that allegedly contained videos of multiple detonations. The phone was seized for examination and the men were released pending further inquiries. The 40-year-old man attended Gosford Police Station about 2:15pm on Sunday, June 14, where he was arrested and charged with possess or make explosive device for unlawful purpose. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Gosford Local Court on Tuesday, July 7. Investigations into the matter are continuing.

Media release, 15 June 2015 NSW Police media