Customs makes massive weapons seizureCustoms officers have seized one of the largest quantities of illegal weapons ever discovered in Australia after raiding five properties in Sydney's south.
Customs said its officers raided the premises in the past two days at Hurstville and Riverwood, seizing 449 knives and daggers, 267 replica firearms and 171 electric shock devices, including stun guns.
The cache also included 86 slingshots, 88 bags of slingshot ball-bearings, 75 sword sticks and 10 blowdarts.
The seizure came after Customs intercepted two cartons containing 50 blowpipes and 12 pistol crossbows which were concealed within a sea cargo container carrying display units and novelty goods.
The items had arrived in Sydney after being shipped from Shanghai, China, in August.
"This is a massive amount of weaponry which no longer presents a threat to the Australian community," Customs NSW director David Collins said in a statement.
"These weapons have the potential to cause serious harm in the community."
People importing these types of weapons without permission faced fines of up to $275,000 and up to 10 years' jail, he said.
Charges were likely to be laid in connection with the weapons seizure, Mr Collins said.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=65238*FW Note:Knives, replicas, stun-guns, wooden swords, darts and blowguns.
I suppose that there's an argument that these could be turned into effective weapons, but good grief, most of these things are
toys. Novelty items.
In the headlong rush to create a continent of unarmed wusses
somewhere, how long will it be before there are inspectors on street corners checking to make sure that fingernails aren't too long?
:roll:
