Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A former federal police officer has been charged with manufacturing an arsenal of weapons, including several machine guns, and heading a criminal group distributing firearms in south-east NSW.Police investigating a firearm and illicit drug supply network in the Illawarra on Monday arrested Stephen James Martin during a series of raids.Former federal police officer Stephen James Martin allegedly led a criminal group manufacturing and supplying firearms in south-east NSW.Credit: NSW PoliceDetectives from NSW Police’s Strike Force Heard and tactical police swooped on the 45-year-old, who was allegedly in possession of two privately manufactured machine guns, ammunition, balaclavas and cable ties when he was arrested in a lunchtime seaside sting.In a simultaneously executed raid, detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy at his Farmborough Heights home.Police allege four loaded revolvers, three ballistic vests, a 3D printer, and firearm parts including slides, barrels, triggers, magazines were found during a search of Martin’s Gerroa home. Thousands of rounds of ammunition for various weapons, electronic devices, mobile phones and paperwork were seized during the search, police said. A number of firearms manufacturing stations were allegedly set up in the home.Martin allegedly had two privately made machine guns in his possession when he was arrested.Credit: NSW PoliceMartin has been charged with 19 firearms and ammunition manufacture, supply and possession-related offences, as well as knowingly or recklessly directing a criminal group assisting crime. He was refused police bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.The 16-year-old was charged with 16 offences including participating in a criminal group and offences related to firearm manufacture and supply. He was refused police bail to appear in a children’s court on Tuesday.A 43-year-old Queensland man arrested in Burleigh Beach on Monday is expected to be extradited to NSW to face charges.
