Two men have been charged following an investigation into alleged death threats made against a serving police officer in the Hunter Valley.
Police were notified on Tuesday 26 August 2025 of comments allegedly posted to a social media platform, which included threats to kill a police officer named in the posts. Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District, alongside the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Terrorism Investigations Squad, commenced inquiries.
About 6am on Tuesday 2 September, police stopped two vehicles in Merriwa and spoke with the drivers, aged 32 and 52. The older man was released, while the younger man was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
During a search, officers allegedly found 4.6 grams of cannabis, and further inquiries revealed his driver’s licence had expired earlier this year. Police also allege the man sent a threatening message to a woman known to him.
The 32-year-old was charged with nine offences, including:
- Two counts of using a carriage service to threaten to kill
- Two counts of sending a document threatening death or grievous bodily harm
- Hinder or resist police in the execution of duty
- Fail to comply with a digital evidence access order
- Driving while licence cancelled
- Possess prohibited drug
- Stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division 2 Court on Wednesday 3 September, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Scone Local Court on Wednesday 10 September.
Later the same day, detectives – assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a property on Macartney Street, Merriwa. Police allegedly seized mobile and electronic devices, cannabis plants, a gel blaster firearm, and military ordnances.
Following further inquiries, officers arrested the 52-year-old man in Denman around 9am on Wednesday 3 September. He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with:
- Cultivate prohibited plant (small quantity)
- Possess/use a prohibited weapon without a permit
- Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
Police investigations are ongoing.
