AUSTRALIAN Border Force (ABF) officers have seized 426 illicit weapons allegedly concealed in three shipping containers intercepted at Port Botany.
The containers, which originated in Asia and had been declared as carrying metal fittings, were examined by ABF officers in Sydney on Monday, 6 July 2026. X-ray screening identified anomalies in the consignments, prompting physical inspections that allegedly uncovered the weapons hidden inside boxes.
Items seized included 222 assisted-opening knives, 138 out-the-front knives, 30 trench knives, 12 flick knives, 12 daggers and 12 push knives.
ABF superintendent Jared Leighton said each illicit weapon intercepted at the border was one less weapon that could cause serious harm in the Australian community.
“This seizure highlights the expertise of ABF officers in identifying concealed threats and disrupting attempts to import prohibited weapons,” Supt Leighton said.
“The ABF will continue to work tirelessly to detect, deter and disrupt the importation of illicit weapons, preventing these dangerous goods from reaching Australian communities.”