Guns, ammo, drugs: Mail intercepts led police to alleged SEQ stash
A man has been charged with a string of weapons offences, including ‘manufacture firearms’, after a raid on a property north of Brisbane uncovered multiple weapons casually stored in drawers and closets.
Police & Courts
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A man has been charged after weapons and drugs were seized during a joint Australian Border Force (ABF) and Queensland Police operation at Caboolture last week.
ABF officers intercepted five international mail packages from China and Hong Kong in Brisbane between August 8 and September 30.
The packages contained five suppressors and an unfinished firearm barrel.
An investigation commenced after inquiries revealed the listed recipient – a 58-year-old man – did not have an import permit for the intercepted items.
Following extensive investigations, a search warrant was executed at the Caboolture property on December 11.
Officers seized four privately manufactured firearms, three rifles, knuckle dusters, pepper spray, a flick knife, 60 cannabis plants and drug paraphernalia.
Photos from inside the 58-year-old’s house show weapons and ammunition casually stored in drawers and closets and a firearm propped up against children’s toys.
Police issued the man with a court attendance for one count of manufacture firearms, five counts of unlawful possession of weapons, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, one count of produce dangerous drug, one count of possession of dangerous drug and one count of possess utensil.
ABF investigations are continuing and further charges are expected to be laid.
The man is due to appear before Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on February 5.
ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff said the weapons could have been deadly in the wrong hands.
“The ABF works closely with its state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure any firearms coming into the country are imported legally and are kept in accordance with the law,” Acting Commander Sokoloff said.
“Recreational shooters and firearm enthusiasts importing firearms, firearm parts or other weapons online should be very clear about the regulations in place.
“People should remember that any weapons or parts that you purchase overseas have to come across the border and that’s where our highly-trained officers, detector dogs and cutting edge x-ray technology are deployed.
“We have also ramped up our border intelligence capability in recent years, working closely with agencies here in Australia and with our partners overseas to build a global web of information about those buying and selling illicit firearms and firearm parts.
“Anyone attempting to import prohibited weapons, including firearm parts, runs the risk of losing those goods and possible criminal prosecution.”
Importing firearms without a permit is a serious offence. Penalties include imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $525,000.
There are extensive restrictions and prohibitions when it comes to importing any firearm or firearm part, and also require state and territory police or Attorney General’s Department consent.
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