By Mark Rigby and Danielle Mahe, ABC News
Security officers seized bullets, shells and firearm parts at the Gold Coast Airport.
Photo: Australian Border Force / supplied
- A 62-year-old man will face court after allegedly trying to export hundreds of bullets, shotgun shells and bullet casings, as well as firearm parts, on a flight from the Gold Coast to New Zealand.
- The New Zealand national was allegedly carrying some items on his body and had others in his luggage when he was stopped by Australian Border Force officers.
- The man is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today and could face a maximum penalty of $782,500 and 10 years’ imprisonment.
A New Zealand man allegedly caught trying to leave Australia with hundreds of bullets, shotgun shells, and firearm parts has faced court on the Gold Coast.
Mark Quentin Sargent, 62, was arrested at Gold Coast International Airport on 4 September after airline staff alerted Australian Border Force (ABF) officers to his suspicious activity at the check-in desk.
When ABF officers approached the man inside the airport, he revealed a plastic-wrapped package with 200 bullets and 65 shotgun shells inside.
A further search by ABF officers revealed he was also carrying nearly 300 high-calibre bullet casings and projectiles.
When his checked and carry-on baggage was searched, officers allegedly found firearm parts including two stocks, three barrels, a trigger, a trigger guard, a firing pin and a bolt internal magazine, as well as three bags of ammunition wadding.
ABF investigators allege he was trying to export the haul on a flight from the Gold Coast to New Zealand.
He was charged with attempted exportation of firearm parts and accessories, but granted bail to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Sargent appeared beside his lawyer Tom Gardiner when his case was mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court for the first time on Wednesday.
His lawyer successfully asked for the case to be adjourned to next month.
When asked about the charges outside the courthouse, Sargent declined to respond.
He remains on bail and is due to return to court on 21 October.
Under the Customs Act, the maximum penalty for exporting firearm parts or accessories from Australia is more than $780,000 (NZ$851,000) and 10 years behind bars.
Firearm seizures ‘rare’ at Australian airports
Australia has an international reputation for some of the strictest border security protocols in the world, with more than 750,000 passengers checked at the country’s airports each week.
In a statement, ABF Superintendent Amanda Coppleman said firearms and ammunition were rarely found in luggage at airports.
“Exporting firearm parts and accessories without a permit is illegal,” Coppleman said.
“It is incredibly reckless to attempt to bring such items on board a commercial airliner.
“I would like to thank the airline for their assistance and commend the ABF officers involved in de-riosking the situation swiftly.”
Coppleman said the ABF treated airport and airline security seriously.
“Anyone engaging in this type of behaviour can expect to face the full legal consequences,” she said.
In April this year ABF officers intercepted three women from the United States who allegedly smuggled 30 kilograms of cocaine in their baggage on a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.
Border Force officials, including biosecurity officers, last year intercepted more than 400,000 items considered a threat to Australia’s biosecurity at airports around the country.
Among those items were holy water from the Ganges river, alligator paws and a live toad.
– ABC News