A spike in the importation of trip alarms has led to an Australian Border Force (ABF) crackdown across multiple states to seize the weapons to protect the community from harm.
Trip alarms are dangerous devices which are capable of firing live ammunition.
They activate when a person "trips" the trip wire on the device. The activation then fires off a 12-gauge shotgun round that serves as the "alarm".
The devices are capable of firing an explosive round and are considered to be a firearm under Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, which puts them in the same category as any other prohibited weapon.
In recent weeks ABF officers in Victoria and Western Australia have carried out a number of warrants and seized 47 trip alarms across the two states.
A total of 28 trip alarms were seized during Operation TRIPIDATION in Victoria and 19 in Western Australia.
In Victoria ABF officers carried out warrants and visits in a number of suburbs, including Colac, Drysdale, Hampton Park, Kinglake, Dromana, Mt Eliza and Frankston.
In addition to the seized trip alarms in Victoria, 15 importers were identified, 14 site visits conducted and 14 warnings were issued.
In Western Australia, 18 importers were identified, 8 site visits were conducted and 18 warnings were issued.
ABF officers in South Australia also issued multiple warnings and handed out educational material.
ABF Inspector James Judge said there had been a recent increase in the number of trip alarms being imported through the international mail system, which triggered the crackdown.
"Trip alarms are not harmless toys or convenient security devices, it is a serious offence to bring these items into the country without the appropriate permissions," Inspector Judge said.
"We understand that some members of the public may attempt to import a trip alarm with completely innocent motives. But it is a case of buyer beware and they should always check first to see if an item is a prohibited import."
"People that seek to import dangerous weapons and weapon parts will always be targeted by the ABF."
"The Australian border is our most critical national asset and we will not allow its integrity to be undermined."
Intentionally importing a trip alarm without the appropriate authority is an offence under the Customs Act 1901, and is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years or a substantial fine, or both.
Information on prohibited and restricted imports is available on the ABF website at www.abf.gov.au.
