A South Wentworthville man is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (7 January 2025) after a firearm was allegedly found in his luggage at Sydney Airport security screening.
The AFP was called on 28 December 2024 after a security worker monitoring an x-ray allegedly identified suspicious items in the man’s checked baggage.
AFP officers inspected the luggage and found parts of a disassembled shotgun and ammunition. The man, 39, was stopped from boarding a flight to Lebanon and was questioned about the weapon, which was seized.
The AFP will allege the seized firearm was not registered to the man.
The man was charged and refused police bail to first appear in court on 29 December 2024 on one count of trafficking prohibited firearms or firearm parts out of Australia, contrary to section 361.3 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years’ imprisonment. Today (7 January 2025) is the man’s second court appearance.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson said the AFP worked closely with the aviation industry and other partners to prevent illegal activity through airports and keep workers and travellers safe.
“There was allegedly an initial claim that the weapon was a ‘drenching gun’ used for agricultural farming. However, the AFP subsequently determined the weapon was a shot gun broken down into two parts. This is a serious weapon with the potential to cause real harm,” Stephenson said.
He added, “Security screening staff at the airport were vigilant and along with AFP officers, acted quickly to ensure the safety of the travelling public and stop weapons being taken offshore.”
