A 31-year-old Langford man faces multiple weapons importation and possession charges following a three month joint investigation by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the WA Police Force (WAPF).
It will be alleged hundreds of prohibited weapons including knives, extendable batons and knuckle dusters imported by the man from overseas have been seized by ABF officers at international air cargo and mail centres in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Yesterday, Armadale Detectives and ABF officers executed a search warrant on the man's Langford home and allegedly found a further 200 weapons, including flick knives, throwing knives, swords and machetes.
It'll be further alleged the man had been selling the weapons, including at a suburban weekend market in Perth.
ABF investigators will be charging the man by summons with 12 counts of Import Prohibited Imports against Section 233(1)(b) of the Customs Act. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to $210,000.
Between 13 October 2018 and 11 December 2018 the man allegedly attempted to import 230 knives, 143 extendable batons, 50 knuckledusters and 11 concealed blades in consignments intercepted at the border.
Armadale Detectives have charged the man with five counts of Possess Controlled Weapons and three counts of Possess Prohibited Weapons. He was due to appear before the Fremantle Magistrates Court today, 4 January 2019.
The ABF's Superintendent of Enforcement Operations WA, Clint Sims, said the seizure of so many weapons was a great outcome for the community.
"Had these weapons found their way onto the streets of Perth and WA they may well have been involved in violent crimes and other antisocial and criminal behaviour," Superintendent Sims said.
"The ABF plays a critical role in safeguarding the Australian community and we will vigorously investigate individuals who attempt to import prohibited weapons.
"Our officers at the international air cargo and mail centres are highly skilled at detecting illegal concealments.
"I also want to acknowledge the role of the WA Police Force in this investigation. The level of cooperation between Federal and State law enforcement partners has never been stronger."
