Local residents in Chatswood West were left shocked after police discovered a juvenile Australian freshwater crocodile in a backyard on Hawthorne Avenue during a raid earlier this month.
North Shore Police Area Command officers attended the property on the evening of 3 January to investigate reports of a possible clandestine drug laboratory operating from the garage.
Upon arrival at 7pm, police spotted the scaly reptile in the rear yard of the residence, located less than one kilometre from the Lane Cove River.
The 44-year-old occupant of the home reportedly told officers he did not hold a licence or permit to keep the native animal. Australian freshwater crocodiles are typically found in northern regions of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
A North Shore Police Area Command spokesperson confirmed the crocodile was relocated by police following the discovery.
During subsequent searches of the property, officers allegedly found five replica gel-blaster firearms. These included one Glock-style gel-blaster pistol that fires small, water-filled polymer balls, along with four gel-blaster rifles.
The man has been charged with one count of dealing in, or attempting to deal in, a protected animal, four counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, and one count of acquiring a firearm part without authority to do so.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Hornsby Local Court on 3 February.
Police said enquiries into the alleged drug laboratory are continuing, though no drug-related charges have been laid at this stage.
“North Shore PAC would like to remind the public that it is illegal to own or possess a gel blaster gun in NSW without a valid firearms licence or permit,” the spokesperson said.
The unusual discovery has sparked conversation among local residents about exotic pet ownership and firearm regulations in suburban Sydney.
Published 30-January-2026
