Smugglers cop fines
TWO Townsville soldiers escaped criminal conviction after smuggling a gun and knives in their bags on returning home from an overseas exercise.
Censored documents released under Freedom of Information and obtained by the Bulletin have revealed on November 17 last year, the Australian Border Force ( ABF) started an investigation into the alleged attempt to import the items by two members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
A redacted Service Police Report said the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service’s Townsville office was informed by the ABF two 2RAR members were going to attempt to import hand guns, BB guns and knives into Australia, despite being advised not to, via a Defence C17 flight returning from Exercise Sud de Croix in New Caledonia.
Due to the tip- off, X- rays were conducted on all ADF members’ luggage when the flight arrived at Townsville International Airport.
During the search, ABF officers found one of the suspect personnel in possession of a BB gun, a flick knife and a butterfly knife.
The second suspect personnel member was found with a flick knife, a butterfly knife, a slingshot and a can of oleoresin capsicum spray.
The ABF officers subsequently seized the items and issued each member with a $ 360 fine.
Both officers paid the fines on the spot.
A redacted statement by an unnamed Townsville- based Royal Australian Corps of Military Police sergeant said a Border Force Officer ( BFO) advised he didn’t believe the seizure of these four items was enough to submit the case for criminal prosecution.
“I confirmed with BFO that these incidents would not be recorded as a criminal offence; however it would be permanently retained within the customs records,” the sergeant wrote.
“BFO further stated that they did not have enough to prosecute and as such the members were issued an infringement notice each for $ 360 for possessing prohibited items and failing to declare them.”
He wrote further to the seizure of the prohibited items, every member within the contingent was found to be carrying Steyr magazines within their personal equipment, which was illegal.
“This is usually an offence in itself; however BFO consulted with his COC who provided clearance to waive the fines for each member found carrying Steyr magazines,” he wrote.
“It was also requested that this issue be raised through Defence, as the magazines should only be stowed in allocated trunks for international travel and not with an ADF member’s personal affects.”
The importation of soft air ( BB) firearms is controlled under the Customs ( Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
The maximum penalty for importing these goods without the relevant import permission is a penalty not exceeding $ 450,000, 10 years’ jail or both.
To import daggers and throwing knives, throwing blades or throwing axes, a written police certification from the Police Firearms Registry in the state or territory is needed.