Australian authorities have seized over 1,000 illegal firearms, parts, and imitation weapons during a national week-long crackdown targeting the manufacture and trade of illicit weapons.
The joint operation—led by the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, which includes the Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Federal Police (AFP), state and territory forces, and New Zealand Police—resulted in 184 arrests and 854 charges across the country.
Conducted between Oct. 13 and 19, the operation focused on privately manufactured and 3D-printed firearms.
In total, 719 firearms, 489 firearm parts, and 281 3D-printed or home-made weapons were confiscated, along with more than $250,000 (US$162,000) in cash, drugs, and several 3D printers actively producing gun components.
ABF Commander Graeme Campbell said the results highlight the growing threat posed by untraceable, privately built weapons.
“The importation of firearms and firearm parts is of concern to law enforcement across the country, as the dangers of these weapons falling into the wrong hands is extremely concerning,” he said.
Campbell said ABF officers continue to use sophisticated targeting and intelligence to disrupt gun-trafficking networks.
“Many of these items are sold online, leading people to wrongly believe they are not controlled on import,” he said.
Raids Uncover Gun-Making Operations
One of the first operations occurred on Oct. 13 in Hinchinbrook, New South Wales, where police discovered a 3D printer in the process of fabricating a firearm part. Officers also found electronic components and cryptocurrency wallets at the scene.A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence, possessing digital blueprints for firearm manufacture, and possessing a firearm while under a prohibition order. He was refused bail and appeared in Liverpool Local Court the same day.
A day later, a 47-year-old man was arrested and charged after another raid in Belfield uncovered an arsenal of prohibited weapons and ammunition, including an imitation Glock pistol, a privately made firearm, three firearm suppressors, as well as over 3,700 rounds of ammunition.
In a separate operation in Adelong, police seized four privately made firearms, two imitation pistols, and machinery used to produce gun parts. A 21-year-old suspect was charged with firearm manufacture and importation offences and appeared before court the next day.
Detective Superintendent John Watson, national chair of the Illicit Firearms Working Group, said the collaboration between agencies was key to the outcome.
Coordinated Policing Across Borders
Across the country, 215 search warrants were executed, 21 firearm prohibition orders issued, and 35 firearms licences suspended or cancelled.Authorities also conducted more than 2,500 compliance checks and safe-storage inspections.
Watson said every weapon recovered represents a life potentially saved.
Crime Stoppers Urges Public to Speak Up
Community cooperation remains crucial to curbing gun crime.Crime Stoppers Australia estimates there are around 260,000 unregistered firearms still in circulation nationwide.
The organisation continues to urge Australians to report illegal guns anonymously.
“All Australians should think about how they would feel if they stayed silent about an illegal gun which was then used to harm or kill someone,” a Crime Stoppers campaign message said.
The group ran a national awareness drive earlier this year, encouraging the public to share information during May and June, reinforcing that every tip could help prevent tragedy.
