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Police have seized more than 1,000 guns and firearm components in a crackdown aimed at the proliferation of illegal guns in Australia and its neighbor.

Transnational Effort Culminates in Detentions and Seizures

A seven-day transnational operation led to over 180 arrests, based on statements from border officials, and the confiscation of 281 homemade firearms and components, such as units created with additive manufacturing devices.

Local Finds and Apprehensions

Across the state of NSW, law enforcement located numerous additive manufacturing devices alongside glock-style pistols, cartridge holders and 3D-printed holsters, along with other gear.

Local authorities reported they arrested 45 individuals and confiscated 518 firearms and firearm parts during the initiative. Numerous suspects were accused of offences among them the creation of prohibited firearms without proper authorization, shipping prohibited goods and owning a digital blueprint for manufacture of firearms – a violation in certain regions.

“These 3D printed components may look vibrant, but they are serious items. When put together, they become lethal weapons – completely illegal and highly hazardous,” an experienced detective said in a release. “For this purpose we’re focusing on the complete pipeline, from printers to imported parts.

“Citizen protection forms the basis of our firearms licensing system. Shooters are required to be licensed, weapons have to be registered, and compliance is absolute.”

Growing Trend of Privately Made Weapons

Information gathered during an investigation shows that during the previous five years in excess of 9,000 weapons have been lost to theft, and that this year, police made seizures of homemade firearms in almost every regional jurisdiction.

Court records show that the computer blueprints now created domestically, driven by an online community of designers and supporters that promote an “absolute freedom to keep and bear arms”, are increasingly reliable and lethal.

Over the past several years the pattern has been from “very novice, barely operational, nearly disposable” to more advanced firearms, authorities stated at the time.

Border Discoveries and Online Sales

Parts that are difficult to additively manufactured are often ordered from e-commerce sites internationally.

An experienced customs agent said that in excess of 8,000 illicit firearms, parts and attachments had been discovered at the border in the previous fiscal year.

“Overseas firearm parts are often put together with other privately manufactured parts, creating risky and unregistered guns making their way to our communities,” the official stated.

“Many of these goods are being sold by digital stores, which could result in people to incorrectly assume they are not controlled on entry. A lot of these websites only arrange transactions from international acting as an intermediary without any considerations for import regulations.”

Other Recoveries In Various Areas

Seizures of items among them a bow weapon and fire projector were also made in the state of Victoria, the western territory, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, where police stated they found a number of privately manufactured firearms, in addition to a additive manufacturing device in the isolated community of Nhulunbuy.