SYDNEY, Sept 3 (NNN-AAP) – The Australian Federal Police (AFP), joined hands with the Australian Border Force (ABF) this week, in dismantling an illegal firearm parts import scheme, and an alleged 3D-printed firearm manufacturing operation, in western Sydney.
AFP said in a statement yesterday that, it, together with ABF investigators, swept across Kemps Creek and Cecil Hills, two suburbs of Sydney, on Thursday, following an investigation into the importation of a large quantity of illegal firearm parts intended to build operational firearms.
Search warrants were executed at two residential premises, with a man arrested at a Kemps Creek residence. He was charged with 18 offences and refused bail. A number of these offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of eight complete firearms, 14 Glock pistol receivers, a Glock barrel, a collection of firearm parts and tools used in the manufacture of firearms, according to the statement.
ABF Acting Commander, Raef McDonough, said, criminals regularly attempted to circumvent border controls by importing almost innocuous and individual parts that make up a firearm.
“In instances such as this, imported accessories are connected with 3D printed parts, resulting in the manufacture of very dangerous, privately made firearms,” he said.– NNN-AAP
