Federal police seize dozens of knives disguised as credit cards

More than 80 of the dangerous weapons have been discovered over the past year, with 22 of those discovered last month alone.

FEDERAL police have confiscated dozens of illegally imported knives that are being disguised as credit cards.

More than 80 of the weapons have been seized since October last year, with 22 of these discovered last month alone.

The knives are sheathed inside what outwardly looks like a credit card.

Despite their size, authorities are warning the weapons pose a serious risk.

The credit-card knife out of its sheath.

“Credit card knives are not a novelty item – they are not toys,” a statement from Justice Minister Michael Keenan read. “They are a dangerous weapon, they are illegal and they are banned from being taken on domestic and international flights.”

All states and territories have offences applicable to the possession of a knife without a lawful or reasonable excuse.

The knives are regarded as dangerous and have been banned from domestic and international flights.

It is also illegal in most Australian states to buy these weapons.

The recent haul is evidence AFP screening at airports is working, the statement read.

“Despite the obvious danger an item such as this poses, airport screening is detecting – and the AFP are seizing – more and more of these knives at Australian airports.”