Man charged after 'significant' firearms parts bust
Grafton Kaifoto, 34, allegedly attempted to send enough parts to make 30 Glock-style handguns to addresses in Queensland and Victoria.
He aimed to construct the handguns from the parts and sell them for $20,000 each, police allege.
It has been hailed as one of the most significant firearms border interceptions in the country.
"This attempt was methodical. It was calculated. It was sophisticated. But we saw right through it," Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner James Copeman told reporters on Friday.
Kaifoto was intercepted by Australian Border Force at Brisbane International Airport arriving from Los Angeles on June 26.
He was found with consignment papers for nine shipments from the US that were later found to contain firearm parts, police allege.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) were notified and intercepted the packages before they could be delivered to the addresses.
"Our intelligence and targeting team raised alerts across the country," Mr Copeman said.
"Over the next five days, we intercepted hundreds of illegal firearm parts declared and concealed in remote control car parts."
Border Force became aware of Kaifoto on June 19 when a consignment arriving from Italy declared as decorative mugs was found to contain 800g of cocaine, police said.
"This is one of the most significant interceptions at the border of firearms that we know about," AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said.
Police allege Brisbane man Kaifoto went to the US with the sole purpose of procuring the firearm parts.
They are investigating whether he has links to a wider criminal syndicate in Australia.
Kaifoto had not been cooperating with authorities since his apprehension, Det Telfer said.
He has charged with nine counts of attempting to import firearm parts, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Kaifoto's matter appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and was adjourned until September 19.
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