Overview
- From October 13–19, Australian Border Force led a multi-agency ‘week of action’ with the AFP, all state and territory police, and New Zealand Police, executing more than 200 raids from major cities to remote communities such as Arnhem Land.
- Authorities report 719 whole firearms, 489 parts and 281 privately manufactured or 3D‑printed items seized, with 184 arrests and 854 charges laid.
- The operation also yielded 64 imitation firearms or gel blasters, more than $250,000 in cash, prohibited drugs, 21 firearm prohibition orders and 35 firearms licence suspensions.
- In New South Wales, police executed 20 warrants, arresting 45 people and laying 206 charges while seizing 270 firearms, 89 parts, 19 imitation firearms, 10 privately manufactured guns and 130 privately manufactured parts.
- ABF Commander Graeme Campbell warned that online retailers and overseas ordering are feeding untraceable builds, while NSW Detective Superintendent John Watson said increasingly sophisticated 3D‑printed components pose a fast‑evolving threat.