Hundreds of gun parts seized in border bust
A 34-year-old Queensland man has been charged with importing the parts into Australia.
The man was stopped at Brisbane International Airport on June 26 after arriving on a flight from the United States.
During an incoming passenger inspection, ABF officers allegedly discovered information in his possession relating to the import, including consignment details for nine packages later found to contain firearm parts. Police will allege the man was planning to illegally assemble and sell the firearms. Australian Border Force. Credit: Supplied
The ABF referred the matter to the AFP, which launched an investigation.
Authorities allege the man attempted to import individual weapon parts into Australia using false names and package descriptions to deliver them to addresses in Queensland and Victoria.
All nine packages were intercepted before delivery and sent for forensic analysis.
Police will allege the man intended to assemble the firearms and sell them on the black market for $20,000 each. Police allege the firearms can sell for $20,000 each. Australian Border Force. Credit: Supplied Police allegedly discovered information relating to the deliveries in a Queensland man's possession. Australian Border Force. Credit: Supplied
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the operation had successfully disrupted a significant firearms trafficking attempt.
'The AFP and ABF work closely every day at airports around the country to detect threats such as firearms trafficking that could harm the Australian community,' he said.
'Anyone involved in the trafficking of illegal weapons into Australia with the intention of providing them into the hands of individuals or organised crime groups should be warned – the AFP and our partners are ready and waiting to stop you in your tracks.
'Seizing hundreds of firearm parts before they could be sold on the black market has made all Australians safer.
'Even when criminals use weapons bought on the black market to target other criminals in violent confrontations, innocent bystanders' risk being hurt or killed.
'Our priority is keeping Australians safe, which is why we will continue to be relentless in our commitment to working with our partners to target, identify and disrupt endeavours that present a real risk of becoming a weapons supply line to organised crime.
'We will not tolerate the import and use of illicit weapons in Australia.' The man has been charged with nine counts of attempting to traffic firearm parts. Australian Border Force. Credit: Supplied
The man has been charged with nine counts of attempting to traffic in firearm parts, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The man appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court in where he was granted conditional bail.
He was and was scheduled to reappear on Friday.
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