A South Wentworthville man is due at Downing Centre Local Court today (7 January, 2025) after allegedly attempting to board a flight with a disassembled shotgun and ammunition in his luggage.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) were alerted on 28 December, 2024, when Sydney Airport security screening staff monitoring an x-ray flagged suspicious items in the 39-year-old man’s checked baggage.
Upon inspection, AFP officers discovered parts of a shotgun and ammunition. The man, who was preparing to board a flight to Lebanon, was stopped and questioned about the weapon. The firearm, which was seized, was allegedly not registered to him.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson praised the swift actions of security staff and AFP officers in preventing the weapon from leaving the country.
“There was allegedly an initial claim that the weapon was a ‘drenching gun’ for agricultural use, but our investigation determined it was a shotgun broken down into two parts—a serious weapon capable of causing real harm,” he said.
“This case highlights the vigilance of airport security and the importance of working together to protect the public and stop illegal activity through our aviation hubs.”
He was charged with trafficking prohibited firearms or firearm parts out of Australia under section 361.3 of the Criminal Code (Cth), an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. After being refused bail, he first appeared in court on 29 December, 2024.
Today marks the man’s second court appearance.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon
