A 34-year-old man from Joyner faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on 18 July 2025 after being charged over the alleged importation of hundreds of firearm parts into Australia from the United States.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) stopped the man at Brisbane International Airport on 26 June after he arrived on a flight from the US. During an inspection, officers allegedly found documentation related to the import of firearm components, including consignment details for nine separate packages. The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for further investigation.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer praised the swift action of both agencies in preventing a potentially dangerous influx of illegal weapons.
“The AFP and ABF work closely every day at airports around the country to detect threats such as firearms trafficking that could harm the Australian community.”
Authorities allege the man had shipped individual weapon parts under false names and descriptions to multiple addresses in Queensland and Victoria. All nine packages were intercepted by the ABF before delivery and sent for forensic analysis.
Police claim the man intended to assemble and sell the firearms for $20,000 each on the black market.
The AFP has charged him with nine counts of attempting to traffic in firearm parts, under sections 11.1 and 361.2 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Det Supt Telfer added, “Seizing hundreds of firearm parts before they could be sold on the black market has made all Australians safer.”
“Even when criminals use weapons bought on the black market to target other criminals in violent confrontations, innocent bystanders risk being hurt or killed.”
ABF Superintendent Mel Stewart said the case demonstrated the strength of inter-agency collaboration and the vigilance of frontline officers. “The ABF worked closely with the AFP across multiple jurisdictions to ensure a coordinated and swift response,” Supt Stewart said.
“This case demonstrates the critical role the ABF plays at the border in protecting the Australian community from serious criminal threats.”
The man first appeared in court on 27 June and was granted conditional bail, with a return date scheduled for 18 July. The investigation remains ongoing.
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