Raymond Ross Tate: Glenfield man remanded in custody after Geraldton police raid home seizing drugs, guns

A man in his 50s is facing a string of drug and firearm charges after Geraldton Detectives raided an address in Glenfield and allegedly seized methamphetamines, MDMA, cannabis and unsecured firearms. About 8am on Wednesday, May 24, Geraldton Detectives raided 54-year-old Raymond Ross Tate’s address in Glenfield after they received intelligence from an unknown source. Detectives allege during the search they located a quantity of methamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis, assorted rounds of ammunition, a gel blaster and a homemade gun capable of firing 12-gauge shotgun rounds in the caravan Mr Tate resides in and across the property. Mr Tate was arrested and charged with 15 drug and firearm offences including two counts of offer to sell or supply a prohibited drug, possess a prohibited plant, three counts of possess a prohibited drug namely dexamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis, two counts of possess a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply namely methamphetamine and cannabis and cultivate a prohibited plant with intent to sell or supply. He was also charged with failure to use adequate storage facilities to ensure firearms or ammunition safety, possessing a prohibited weapon, unlicensed person possessing firearm, possessing firearm with circumstances of aggravation, having ready access to both weapons and illegal drugs and possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property. In court, Police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul White said bail was not a favourable option for the case due to the amount of narcotics and ammunition seized, with police not knowing how much else there could be hidden at the property. Mr Tate’s lawyer Prudence Harrison requested reporting for bail rather than a curfew, to which Sen. Const. White replied: “I can’t see personally a curfew making a difference”. Mr Tate became emotional as the magistrate read out conditions for his bail, which included reporting Monday, Wednesday and Friday with random drug and alcohol tests required, as well as handing over electronic devices for searching upon request. Security handed tissues to the man as he was told his surety was set at $50,000 with a personal bail of $10,000 and a 1km ban from any international departure location. Mr Tate was granted bail until his next court date on July 20.