More than 500 firearms have been seized and scores of people arrested during a national crackdown on illicit firearms, involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Operation Athena, featuring police from jurisdictions across Australia and federal agencies including Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP), raided scores of properties between October 23 and October 29.
More than 100 search warrants were executed during the co-ordinated strikes, leading to 86 arrests and netting 523 firearms as well as 209 firearm parts.
A number of gel blasters were seized, which are of increasing worry to authorities, given they can look identical to real handguns, shotguns and rifles.
Numerous people were also arrested for allegedly making hybrid 3D printed guns, another area of growing concern.
ABF Assistant Commissioner East Erin Dale said on Monday border force officers were highly skilled in targeting suspect consignments and detecting firearms.
"ABF and its federal and state and territory law enforcement partners will continue to target people who attempt to import firearms, parts or accessories such as silencers into Australia without a proper permit," he said in a statement.
"This highly successful week of action shows the ABF is determined to stop illicit firearms ending up on Australian streets."
National chair of Operation Athena, Detective Superintendent John Watson from NSW Police Force's Drug and Firearms Squad, said the illicit manufacture and importation of firearms would not be tolerated.
"Intelligence sharing across law enforcement is commonplace and we can very easily identify and target those responsible for the importation and manufacture of illicit firearms," Det Supt Watson said.
"With a number of people now bail refused and before the court following this year's week of action, the message is simple, comply with our firearms legislation or face the consequences."
