A man has been charged after allegedly circumventing border controls by importing the "innocuous" individual components of guns.
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Police said the man imported a large quantity of illegal gun parts with the intention of building usable firearms.
When police raided two houses in Kemps Creek and Cecil Hills in Western Sydney on August 31 they also found equipment allegedly used to 3D print firearm parts.
Police seized eight complete guns,14 glock pistol receivers, a glock barrel and a collection of firearm parts.
"In instances such as this, imported accessories are connected with 3D printed parts, resulting in the manufacture of very dangerous, privately made firearms," ABF Acting Commander Raef McDonough said.
The 32-year-old Kemps Creek man was charged with 18 offences including importing prohibited firearm parts, possessing the blueprint to make a pistol and manufacturing an illegal firearm.
He was refused bail and appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court on September 1.
Police said a number of his alleged offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.
"Detection and disruption of firearms and firearm parts at the Australian border is one of the most important steps in reducing gun-related offences within our local communities," Acting Commander McDonough said.
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Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
