A 54 year old man has been arrested in Adelaide after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers located undeclared firearm parts concealed within his baggage on return to Australia from the United States of America.
Upon his return to Australia on 13 July 2021, the South Australian man was subject to a baggage examination by ABF officers at Sydney Airport.
During the baggage examination, officers located a number of firearms parts that would enable the assembly of a complete firearm.
ABF officers at Sydney Airport seized the items and referred the matter to ABF Investigations where teams in NSW and South Australia worked together to investigate the matter.
While the man was completing 14 days mandatory quarantine in Sydney, ABF Investigations in South Australia executed Customs Act 1901 search and seizure warrants on the man’s home and business premises in Adelaide.
Officers located a number of illegal firearm parts as well as firearm manufacturing equipment, which were referred to South Australia Police for investigation.
On his return to Adelaide, and following the completion of a further 14 days home quarantine having departed a designated COVID red zone in NSW, the man was arrested and charged by ABF Investigations on 11 August 2021.
ABF officers charged the man with the importation of Tier 2 goods, namely firearm parts, contrary to section S233 BAB (5) of the Customs Act 1901, an offence which can result in up to ten years imprisonment, significant financial penalties, or both.
The man was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on 8 October 2021.
As a result of the joint investigation between ABF and South Australia Police, the man was subsequently charged by South Australia Police with a further 50 state firearms offences, including illegal possession of firearms, possessing a silencer and manufacture of firearms.
ABF Chief Superintendent Operations South Australia Andrew Dawson, said this significant detection of firearms and firearms parts is yet another great example of successful collaboration between the ABF and its law enforcement partners.
“The ABF works under difficult circumstances with COVID, however our officers continue to keep our borders safe through detecting the importation of dangerous items such as this handgun,” Chief Superintendent Dawson said.
“The ABF will continue to work with South Australia Police, to investigate and prosecute those who choose to engage in this type of criminal activity.”
SAPOL Officer in Charge of Firearms Branch, Detective Superintendent Billy Thompson, said this is a great example of SAPOL working hand in hand with our ABF colleagues to ensure illegal firearms that could cause untold harm to our community are taken out of circulation.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
Anyone with information in relation to the importation of illegal firearms or firearms parts is urged to contact Border Watch australia.gov.au/borderwatch
