A man has been charged with firearms offences after Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators located firearm parts, ammunition, and documents relating to the manufacture of homemade weapons during a warrant at a NSW Central Coast home.
The ABF commenced an investigation in January 2025, after a NSW man attempted to import firearm parts through the international mail stream.
The items were seized, with further enquiries revealing the man had previously attempted to import another firearm part in November 2024.
Investigators will allege in court that the man, aged 23, does not hold a firearms licence.
Following extensive enquiries, ABF Investigators - assisted by the ABF Detector Dog Unit and NSW Police Force officers - executed a Commonwealth search warrant at a home at Halekulani on the NSW Central Coast about 5.30am on Wednesday (19 February 2025).
During the search, various items relevant to the investigation were located and seized - including assorted firearm parts, a revolver and a shotgun, ammunition, and documentation with information on how to manufacture homemade firearms.
The man was later located and arrested by NSW Police for an unrelated breach of bail offence.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station, where ABF Investigators charged him with three counts of intentionally import prohibited tier 2 goods without approval contrary to s.223BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
These offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment per offence.
The 23-year-old was also charged with a number of state-based offences, including the unrelated breach of bail offence, 11 counts of possess prohibited weapon, one count of possess ammunition without licence, one count of not keep firearms safely, one count of goods in custody, three counts of possess prohibited drug, and one count of supply prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court yesterday (Thursday 20 February 2025).
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Brett Totten said every weapon removed from the streets is a win for community safety.
"Illicit firearms pose a serious threat to community safety, all levels of law enforcement and national security agencies need to work together to ensure these weapons don't end up in the hands of those who seek to intimidate and cause harm," Supt Totten said.
"The detection and disruption of firearms and firearm parts at the Australian border is one of the most critical steps in reducing gun-related offences within our local communities.
"The ABF continues to enhance its posture with border intelligence and working with offshore partners to build a global picture about those who are buying and selling illicit firearms and firearm parts on the dark web.
"Buyer beware - any weapons or parts which you may purchase online must cross the border, that's where our highly skilled officers, detector dogs, x-ray capabilities, and expert investigators all come to together to monitor what comes in."
