Haowei Ma charged after police seize gel blasters at Guildford

A teenage student has been granted bail after police seized illegal firearms including over 50 gel blasters from a unit in Sydney’s west.

Haowei Ma has been charged after police swooped on his unit at Guildford and seized

53 gel blasters and replica firearm parts his Station St apartment.

In November, Cumberland detectives started an investigation into the supply of replica firearms, parts and gel-blasters in the Cumberland area.

During a search on Wednesday, detectives allegedly discovered several items, including 53 gel-blasters, replica firearm parts, and electronic devices during the 7.45am search.

Police allege in court documents that the gel blasters/replica firearms “substantially duplicate in appearance a military-style firearm, not being authorised to do so by a licence or permit”.

Police allege the man illegally possessed 19 air guns including 16 pistols and three bolt action rifles.

The items seized will undergo further forensic examination.

An 18-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Granville police station where he was charged with two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm and possessing more than three unregistered firearms including pistol or prohibited firearms.

Cops have seized multiple firearms from a Guildford unit. Picture: NSW Police

Replica guns and parts were seized. Picture: NSW Police

The man was refused bail and ordered to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Kate Thompson granted Ma bail on several conditions including the surrender of his Chinese passport; not leaving the home unless it is to go to his education campus for exams or with his father; reporting daily to Merrylands police station; not using YouTube; not accessing any website with content about firearms.

Haowei Ma was granted bail. Picture: NSW Police

He had to surrender his Chinese passport after gel blasters and replica firearms were seized. Picture: NSW Police

Firearms Registry commander Superintendent Cameron Lindsay warned it was an offence to buy a gel blaster from a wholesaler, retailer or an individual seller from another state and have it sent into NSW.

“I want to remind the people of NSW that the penalties are high for possessing one of these items and, as we have seen with this arrest, you could face serious charges,” Supt Lindsay said.

The matter was adjourned to January 20.

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