56-year-old Queensland man charged with firearm offences by Joint Counter Terrorism Team
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service.
Editor's note: Stills relating to this operation are available to download via Hightail.
A 56-year-old man is due to appear in court today after the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT) charged him over alleged firearm possession as part of an ongoing investigation into a stockpile of illegal firearms and explosives.
In September 2018, a cache of firearms was located in Woodgate in the Bundaberg region by a member of the public.
The cache included a heavily modified rifle, firearm parts (including a silencer), as well as ammunition, gunpowder and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Members of the QLD JCTT commenced an investigation into the origin of the weapon and IEDs in 2020.
As a result of their investigations the QLD JCTT conducted a search warrant at a home in Boreen Point on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on 22 October, 2020.
A 56-year-old Boreen Point man is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today (9 November 2020) charged with three counts possessing weapons contrary to section 50 of the Weapons Act 1990 (QLD).
The maximum penalty if convicted is seven years imprisonment.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Scott Lee said the modified weapon and improvised explosives seized in this investigation were troubling.
"Improvised explosive devices in particular are highly dangerous and potentially lethal, not only to the people who are constructing them but also to the public at large should they be used," Assistant Commissioner Lee said.
"The primary objective of the QLD JCTT is to protect the community, and while there was no specific threat planned in this instance the investigators should be very proud of taking these weapons and explosive devices off the streets."
Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon, Queensland Police Service Security and Counter Terrorism Command said joint agency collaboration and investigation is critical to securing results such as these.
"The Queensland Police Service remains committed to working with our partner state and federal agencies to keep the community safe," Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said.
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information about possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
The QLD JCTT includes members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Media enquiries
AFP National media: (02) 5126 9297
Queensland Police media: (07) 3015 2444