Police seized a large haul of illegal guns from Reece Spengler’s home in West Wodonga on Thursday, only days before he was due to start a new job at a local army base.

The Wodonga Magistrates Court on Friday heard there were concerns about the type of people linked to the 36-year-old.

The owners of the guns were likely linked to drug trafficking and standover tactics, the court heard. 

More weapons are yet to be recovered, including those taken during a recent break-in at Thurgoona. 

Two new lever action shotguns and two long arms still haven’t been recovered, and the 36-year-old likely knows where they are hidden, the court heard.

Spengler has a limited criminal history and detectives believe he is therefore “seen to be someone who was unlikely to come under police attention”.

Of particular concern was the recovery of the stolen military rifle chassis, which Spengler allegedly planned to modify to appear like a machine gun.

He allegedly admitted to stealing the gun from a Queensland army base a decade ago. 

While he denied modifying the weapons, police believe he has the knowledge and capability to have sawn off the barrels.

Other items, including a silencer, Taser, cannabis and allegedly stolen motorbikes were recovered. 

NSW police also conducted four raids on Thursday morning and recovered two sawn-off shotguns, a replica pistol, drugs, ammunition and the proceeds of crime.

Magistrate John Murphy said he was concerned that Spengler was due to start work with the Defence Force next week after recently leaving his job. 

“I'd imagine there'd be firearms on an army base,” he said.  

“It's a big risk in my opinion to have him wandering the streets.”

He refused the 36-year-old's bail application, and he will return on October 16.