North shore man charged over replica gel gun distribution from China
A man from Sydney’s north shore is due to appear in court later this month after an investigation into the distribution of replica ‘gel guns’ from China.
North Shore
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A man has been charged with firearm offences following a Border Force investigation into the distribution of replica guns from China.
The 33-year-old Artarmon resident was arrested on February 11 after officers swooped on a commercial warehouse at Barcoo Rd in Roseville.
Police said 34 gel blaster style firearms were uncovered in the search, many of which resembled “military style rifles and semiautomatic machine guns”.
The man is accused of selling the replicas via a contact in China for distribution to buyers across Australia.
North Shore Police said the replicas were understood to have been included in shipments also containing baby formula, vitamins and other items that are “desirable in China”.
The replicas, capable of firing gel projectiles, are illegal in NSW without a firearms licence or a permit.
“Border Force officials had sent a number of warnings the man that these items were illegal and it’s understood he had failed to comply with those directions,” police said.
“(The replicas) look very genuine and realistic – anything that shoots projectile has the potential to cause injury particularly if shot into a person’s face at close range.”
The man was arrested and charged with possession of authorised prohibited firearms.
He is due to appear in court later this month.