The AFP-led National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) has charged a Sydney man who allegedly attempted to transport two handguns, ammunition, $370,000 cash and methamphetamine on a commercial flight from Brisbane to Sydney last week.
The Dolls Point man, 41, allegedly checked in for his flight at Brisbane Airport on 19 April using a false name before security staff detected the firearms, cash, ammunition and 5 grams of methamphetamine in his luggage.
Police allege the man fled the airport on foot when security staff attempted to question him about the contents of his checked-in luggage.
The AFP started an investigation and identified a man alleged to have used the false identification. Working with the Queensland Police and New South Wales Police, the AFP tracked the man, who is allegedly a patched member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang, to a unit complex in the southeastern Sydney suburb of Dolls Points.
The NSWPF Raptor Squad arrested the man yesterday afternoon (26 April) at the complex.
The man appeared in Sutherland Local Court today charged with nine offences:
- Two counts of cross border firearm trafficking, contrary to section 360.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Four counts of delivering dangerous goods for placing on board a Division 3 aircraft, contrary to section 23(1)(b) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth);
- One count of recklessly dealing with proceeds of an indictable crime, contrary to section 400.4(2) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of using false identification information at a constitutional airport, contrary to section 376.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) and
- One count of possessing a controlled drug (methamphetamine), contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 20 years' imprisonment.
The man was remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court on 20 June, 2023. The AFP will apply to extradite the man to Queensland to face further state charges.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said serious and organised criminal networks put the entire community at risk of violence on our streets through their trafficking and misuse of firearms.
Removing firearms from the community is a vital step in keeping everyone safe from the potential impacts of the harmful and illegal use of these weapons," he said.
The National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) was established in 2014 as a multi-agency law enforcement taskforce targeting organised criminal syndicates, including those involving members of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG). NAGS comprises of members from the AFP and state police forces, as well as members from the Australian Taxation Office.
