Huge haul of ammunition disguised as car parts is seized by police – as man, 44, is arrested at Sydney Airport on a flight from China
- A man from Sydney has been arrested after he allegedly imported gun parts
- Parcels labelled car parts but containing gun parts detected in Sydney
- The 44-year-old was arrested at Sydney Airport arriving on flight from China
Parcels labelled as car parts have been seized by police after they were allegedly found to contain gun parts.
A man from Sydney has been charged with allegedly importing the parts from the United States through the mail.
The 44-year-old was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney International Airport as he arrived on a flight from China.
The first of the two packages were detected at the International Mail Facility in Sydney on July 26.
Parcels labelled as car parts have been seized by police after they were allegedly found to contain gun parts
The packages were declared as containing car parts, but when opened, were found to contain the components for the Sig Sauer and AR-15 weapons.
The detection was referred to the AFP and the joint investigation launched.
On 1 August 2019, another mail consignment from the United States was identified by ABF officers.
It was also declared as containing car parts, but examination found it to contain two triggers and an upper receiver that could have been used in semi-automatic pistols.
A search warrant was executed at a Berowra residence on Thursday, 8 August 2019, while another search warrant was executed at a Mt White premises that was believed to be associated with him.
A search of an additional Berowra premises linked to the man was conducted on Friday, 9 August 2019, where a number of other firearms – including two .22 rifles, an air rifle and a largely assembled glock pistol – and components were located.
It is suspected that some of these items may have been illegally acquired.
The first of the two packages were detected at the International Mail Facility in Sydney on July 26
AFP Detective Superintendent Nathan Barron, National Response Operations, said while there is no ongoing threat to the community, further investigation would reveal the full extent of the alleged criminal activity.
‘The importation of components for semi-automatic and dangerous weapons is always treated seriously by law enforcement because of the danger these weapons present to the community, and for the other criminal activity they enable,’ he said.
‘Our investigators have not identified any links to organised crime or instances where the alleged offender has on-sold firearms or parts, but we will continue our enquiries to determine the true purpose and extent of these illegal importations.’
The man was charged with three counts of importing Tier 2 goods without lawful authorisation.
He was also charged with one count of possess more than three unregistered firearms without a licence.
The maximum penalty for both of these offences is 10 years imprisonment.
He is scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, 10 August 2019.
The 44-year-old was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney International Airport as he arrived on a flight from China