SYDNEY, 24 April, 2023 : Australian Border Force (ABF) officers arrested and charged a 28-year-old United States woman after locating an undeclared 24-carat gold-plated handgun in her luggage on 23 April 2023. The firearm was unregistered and the US citizen, who travelled from Los Angeles to Sydney, did not hold a permit to import or possess the firearm in Australia.
ABF Investigators arrested and charged the woman under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901, which, if convicted, could result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
ABF Enforcement and Detained Goods East Commander Justin Bathurst said that a combination of ABF officer skills and sophisticated detection technology helped stop a dangerous weapon from reaching the community.
The woman appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court on 24 April 2023, where she was bailed. She remains subject to visa cancellation and removal from Australia, pending the outcome of court proceedings, says a AFP media release.
