A Telopea man is expected to appear before Burwood Local Court today (16 April, 2026) after an AFP-led investigation into the thwarted importation of a single shot pistol.
Investigations began in March, 2026, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in NSW detected and seized a 22-calibre folding single shot pistol in an air cargo consignment from Asia and referred the matter to the AFP.
Further police inquiries allegedly linked the man to the consignment.
The AFP charged the man, 54, after executing a search warrant, with the support of the NSW Police Force Drug and Firearms Squad, at a property in north-west Sydney yesterday (15 April, 2026).
At the property, investigators located 39 weapons and seven firearm parts allegedly belonging to the man.
The cache of weapons seized during the search warrant were 31 gel-blaster/air rifle style firearms and eight prohibited weapons including a firearm suppressor, crossbows, tasers and prohibited knives.
Police also seized a quantity of drugs alleged to be cocaine, methamphetamine and three litres of 1,4 Butanediol.
The man was transported to Burwood Police Station where he was formally charged with:
- Intentionally importing a prohibited tier two good, contrary to section 233BAB of the Customs Act (Cth). The maximum penalty is five years' imprisonment;
Possess more than three unregistered firearms including a pistol or prohibited firearm, contrary to section 51D(2) of the Firearms Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is 20 years' imprisonment;
Acquire a firearm - subject to firearms prohibition order, contrary to section 74(1) of the Firearms Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is five years' imprisonment;
Possessing prohibited weapon, contrary to section 7(1) of the Weapons Prohibition Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment;
Supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug (1, 4 Butanediol), contrary to section 25(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is 20 years' imprisonment;
Supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug (methamphetamine), contrary to section 25(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is 15 years' imprisonment; and
Supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug (cocaine), contrary to section 25(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act (NSW). The maximum penalty is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP and its partners worked closely every day and around the country to detect threats, such as firearms trafficking, that could harm the Australian community.
"Anyone involved in the importation of illegal weapons should be warned - the AFP is waiting to stop you in your tracks," Det Supt Blunden said.
"Trafficking illegal firearms puts the community at risk, and can lead to innocent bystanders getting injured or killed.
"Our priority is keeping Australians safe, which is why we will continue to work relentlessly with our partners to target, identify and disrupt criminal endeavours that present a real risk of becoming a weapons supply line to organised crime.
"We will not tolerate the import and use of illicit weapons in Australia."
ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said the ABF remained committed to preventing illicit firearms from entering Australia, as these weapons were frequently used to facilitate intimidation, violence and other serious criminal activity.
"Every day, ABF officers at Australia's airports, air cargo facilities, seaports and mail centres are on the lookout for the illegal importation of firearms and other prohibited weapons," Supt Patwardhan said.
"The ABF works closely with our partner agencies to disrupt criminals seeking to obtain illegal firearms which can potentially harm the Australian community."
