CANBERRA, ACT, Oct. 30 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
Editor's note: images of the weapon parts seized offshore are available via Hightail.
A Queensland man is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court today (30 October 2025) charged for his alleged role in the importation of hundreds of firearm parts into Australia.
The Runaway Bay man, 46, is the second person charged after hundreds of firearm parts sent from Los Angeles, USA, to multiple addresses in Queensland and Victoria were seized in June, 2025.
The AFP charged a Joyner man, 34, in June with the thwarted attempted importation.
The AFP's ongoing investigation into the criminal groups linked to the June importations allegedly revealed the Runaway Bay man was also involved in the failed importation.
The AFP executed a search warrant at the man's Runaway Bay home yesterday (29 October, 2025) and seized pistol magazine base plates, large quantities of spent ammunition casings, live ammunition as well as reloading equipment. Investigators also seized a number of electronic devices which will be subject to further forensic examination.
A second search warrant was executed at a commercial premises in Wacol where AFP investigators also seized a large quantity of firearm parts allegedly linked to the 46-year-old.
The AFP will allege evidence obtained with the support of the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) linked the 46-year-old to the shipment of the firearms parts from the US earlier this year.
It will also be alleged the Runaway Bay man coordinated the shipments of the firearm parts alongside the Joyner man.
The Runaway Bay man was charged with ten counts of attempting to traffic in firearm parts, contrary to sections 11.1 and 361.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
The AFP is continuing investigations into the importation attempt and further arrests are likely.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said even after removing the firearms from the community the AFP was determined to continue this investigation to destroy the alleged criminal supply chain attempting to import violence onto Australian streets.
"Our investigative teams have continued to work tirelessly to unearth the alleged criminal groups seeking to profit from importing these firearms into Australia to enable further crime and violence in our communities," Det Supt Telfer said.
"Following the fantastic targeting work of our partners at ABF, we have allegedly unravelled a criminal syndicate that spans multiple states in Australia and we are planning further arrests.
"Our priority is keeping Australians safe, which is why we will continue to be relentless in our commitment to working with our partners to target, identify and disrupt endeavours that present a real risk of becoming a weapons supply line to organised crime.
"I have said it before and I will say it again, the AFP will not tolerate the import and use of illicit weapons in Australia."
Postal Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Matt Shields, said the investigation was an excellent example of the partnership between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its domestic and international law enforcement partners.
"It is our mission as postal inspectors to prevent the misuse of the United States Postal Service and halt dangerous shipments of weapons aimed at destroying communities," Insp Shields said.
"I fully commend the postal inspectors, agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and all of the officers within Australian law enforcement for their exemplary work on this joint operation."
Homeland Security Investigations Attache Ernest Verina said the investigation exemplified the success of a coordinated effort between U.S. law enforcement agencies.
"These agencies include Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Postal Inspection Service all coordinated under the leadership of the Homeland Security Task Force," Attache Verina said.
"Strengthened by international partnerships and collaboration with global security counterparts, this operation underscores the commitment to safeguarding communities, combating transnational crime, and enhancing global security."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
