A 32-year-old man from Sale in Victoria is expected to be charged with offences relating to the alleged importation of dangerous weapons.
On 29 September 2017, ABF officers working at the Sydney Gateway Facility detected four hand held electronic devices in a consignment linked to a residential address in Sale.
ABF investigators and Victoria Police officers subsequently executed warrants at the premises and located six nunchakus, five capsicum sprays, eleven trench knives, one stun gun, one soft air gun, one crossbow, 155 “ice” pipes and various hand held daggers and knives. It will be alleged the man has previously attempted to import similar items on nineteen occasions in the previous two years.
Charges pursuant to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 will be referred. The maximum penalty for these offences is $525,000, 10 years jail, or both.
ABF Investigations Acting Superintendent Amanda Coppleman said the joint activity should serve as a warning to anyone considering bringing dangerous weapons into the country.
“The ABF and our law enforcement partners, including the Victoria Police, routinely work together to detect and seize these potentially lethal items and identify those involved,” A/g Superintendent Coppleman said.
“Anyone attempting to bring these goods into the country, through whatever means, should expect that they will be detected and they will likely receive a knock on their door from ABF and police.”