Melbourne Gateway Facility was the location for the latest seizures made by the dedicated team from Australian Customs and Border Protection Services (ACBPS).
From March 2015, officers have intercepted ten different shipments from China, Hong Kong, Italy and the United States. The consignments contained prohibited weapons which included BB rifles and airguns along with firearm related items. These items were all seized as they were classed as Tier 2 Goods controlled under the Customs Regulations 1926.
ACBPS officers, along with the Victoria Police, executed a search warrant on a property in Reservoir and a 37-year-old man was arrested. Seems as this man has been very busy, he has been charged with possessing proceeds of crime, trafficking a commercial quantity of heroin, possessing and using heroin, possesing and using cannabis, possessing a prohibited and controlled weapon, possessing an explosive substance and possessing fireworks while unlicensed.All this on top of the charges from ACBPS (under section 233BAB of the Customs Act 1901.)
Here’s a list of items discovered during the search warrant:
- 24 prohibited bladed weapons
- 13 BB guns
- 2 Knuckledusters
- Firearm parts
- Fireworks
- Approximately 7 grams Marijuana
- Approximately 377 grams Heroin
- 2 prohibited lasers
- 9 handcuffs
- 1 taser
- machinery used to manufacture firearms, and
- approximately $100,000 cash.
An informative gallery has been put together of the weapons seized:
ACPBS National Manager Immigration and Customs Enforcement Branch, David Nockels, said the outcomes of the warrant are a direct result of intelligence gathered by ACBPS.
“Customs and Border Protection’s Firearms Intelligence Targeting Team identified these consignments as high risk and the warrant was subsequently actioned,” Mr Nockels said.
“By building intelligence and working closely with Victoria Police and other agencies, we are able to target potential weapons importers.”
The maximum penalty for an individual for the Customs offences relating to the importation of weapons is a fine of up to $425,000 and/or ten years gaol.
