Man arrested after joint SAPOL and ABF search warrant uncovers weapon haul

Ballistic body armour, bomb-making material and dozens of firearms were among the weapons seized after an SA man was arrested during a multi-agency operation.

A Roxby Downs man was arrested after gun paraphernalia detected in Sydney led to the discovery of a significant stockpile of illegal weapons.

He was denied bail after being arrested over the alleged matter and taken to the Roxby Downs Police Station.

A joint operation between SAPOL and the Australian Border Force uncovered the weapons and prohibited items after a search warrant was executed at the man’s workplace and Roxby Downs home on Tuesday.

Among the items seized were 15 long arm firearms, six hand guns, a sawn off shotgun, ballistic body armour, silencers, gel blasters, material used to make pipe bombs, a pistol grip crossbow, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, knives and handheld stun guns.

ABF Operations SA Chief Superintendent Bart England said the man first came to the attention of the ABF after officers examined a package sent through the international mail system with a Roxby Downs address, after arriving at the Sydney Gateway Facility.

Hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found along with the weapons. Picture: ABF

An extensive knife collection allegedly belonging to the man. Picture: ABF

Mr England said the investigation conducted between ABF and the South Australian Police Serious Firearm Crime Investigation Section “resulted in a significant number of firearms and dangerous weapons being seized”.

“ABF officers are some of the world’s best when it comes to targeting suspect consignments, especially those containing dangerous goods,” Mr England said.

“We work closely with our partner agencies to disrupt criminals who try to get their hands on illegal weapons that, if not seized, could cause untold harm in our community.”

A shocking amount of weapons were confiscated. Picture: ABF

The package, intercepted in Sydney, allegedly contained three Ruger Magazines and one 110-round German Sports Gun magazine.

The ABF expects the man will be charged with further importation offences for the alleged importation of firearm magazines and body armour.

A sawn-off shotgun and pistol found during raids on the man’s home and workplace. Picture: ABF

Some of the 15 long-arm firearms that were seized. Picture: ABF

The ABF led a joint agency crackdown on illicit firearms nationally in November 2022 as part of Operation Athena, which resulted in 86 arrests and 523 firearms seized across the country.

This included searches and weapons seizures in Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbour.

The man appeared in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being refused bail.