Queensland man arrested on weapons import charges

Officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF), with support from Queensland Police, executed a warrant on a residential property in Springfield Lakes south of Brisbane this week, arresting a 36-year-old man and seizing various items.

On September 1, ABF officers intercepted and seized an international mail item from Spain that was addressed to the man in question and contained one semi-automatic blank fire handgun.

During a search of the premises on September 12, ABF officers located several items including another blank firing handgun, two tasers, several pairs of handcuffs and a mobile device.

The man has been charged with importing Tier 2 goods without lawful authorisation, contrary to section 233BAB (5) of the Customs Act 1901 and will appear before Richlands Magistrates Court on September 23.

ABF Commander Graeme Grosse said the case once again highlighted the vigilance and hard work of ABF officers at the border, preventing dangerous items from entering the country.

“Because of this initial detection at the border, our officers were able to disrupt additional criminal activity in the community and arrest the man allegedly responsible for it,” Commander Grosse said.

“Our officers work tirelessly to protect the Australian community, and our message today is that these types of criminal import attempts will be detected, and those attempting them will face the full legal consequences.”

Anyone with information about illegal firearm importation is encouraged to report it to the ABF’s Border Watch program by visiting www.australia.gov.au/borderwatch

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