A 23-year-old man from New South Wales’ Central Coast has been charged after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected him importing handgun parts through the international mail system.
The discovery was made last month, leading to his residence being raided by the ABF Detector Dog Unit and NSW Police officers.
They found firearm parts, a revolver, a shotgun, ammunition, and documents relating to the manufacture of homemade weapons. The ABF alleges the man did not hold a firearms licence.
Investigators also claim the man had previously attempted to import a firearm part in November 2024.
The man was not at home at the time of the raid but was later arrested by NSW Police for an unrelated breach of bail offence. ABF officers later charged him with three counts of intentionally importing prohibited goods without approval.
These offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment per offence.
More state-based charges were later added, including 11 counts of possessing prohibited weapons, one count of possessing ammunition without a licence, one count of failing to keep firearms safely, one count of goods in custody, three counts of possessing a prohibited drug, and one count of supplying a prohibited drug.
Authorities Warn of Illicit Firearms
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Brett Totten emphasised the dangers posed by illegal firearms.“Illicit firearms pose a serious threat to community safety,” Totten said.
“All levels of law enforcement and national security agencies need to work together to ensure these weapons don’t end up in the hands of those who seek to intimidate and cause harm.”
He added that stopping illegal firearm imports at the border is crucial to reducing gun-related crime in Australia.
“The ABF continues to enhance its posture with border intelligence and working with offshore partners to build a global picture about those who are buying and selling illicit firearms and firearm parts on the dark web,” Totten said.
