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Police confiscated more than 1,000 weapons and weapon pieces as part of a operation aimed at the spread of illicit guns in Australia and New Zealand.

Transnational Initiative Culminates in Apprehensions and Seizures

A seven-day international initiative resulted in more than 180 arrests, as reported by border officials, and the recovery of 281 privately manufactured weapons and pieces, among them products made by 3D printers.

State-Level Revelations and Arrests

In New South Wales, police discovered numerous additive manufacturing devices alongside semi-automatic handguns, magazines and fabricated carrying cases, along with other gear.

Local authorities stated they apprehended 45 suspects and took possession of 518 guns and firearm parts during the effort. Several individuals were charged with crimes such as the creation of banned weapons without proper authorization, shipping prohibited goods and owning a electronic design for creation of weapons – a crime in various jurisdictions.

“Such additively manufactured parts may look colourful, but they are far from playthings. Once assembled, they become lethal weapons – totally unlawful and very risky,” a high-ranking officer stated in a release. “That’s why we’re aiming at the full supply chain, from fabrication tools to imported parts.

“Community security sits at the core of our firearms licensing system. Firearm users must be registered, weapons must be recorded, and compliance is mandatory.”

Increasing Trend of DIY Weapons

Information gathered as part of an inquiry shows that during the previous five years over 9,000 guns have been taken illegally, and that in 2025, police executed recoveries of privately manufactured weapons in nearly all regional jurisdiction.

Judicial files reveal that the 3D models currently produced domestically, fuelled by an internet group of developers and supporters that support an “absolute freedom to own and carry weapons”, are more dependable and lethal.

In recent several years the pattern has been from “highly unskilled, barely operational, almost a one-shot weapon” to superior firearms, police said earlier.

Immigration Discoveries and Online Transactions

Parts that are difficult to additively manufactured are commonly ordered from digital stores internationally.

A senior border official said that over 8,000 unlawful weapons, parts and attachments had been discovered at the customs checkpoint in the last financial year.

“Imported gun components may be assembled with additional privately manufactured pieces, producing hazardous and unregistered weapons appearing on our streets,” the official added.

“Many of these goods are being sold by online retailers, which might cause people to incorrectly assume they are permitted on entry. Numerous of these services simply place orders from abroad acting as an intermediary without any considerations for import regulations.”

Additional Seizures Across Various Areas

Confiscations of products such as a projectile launcher and incendiary device were additionally conducted in the state of Victoria, the WA region, the island state and the Northern Territory, where law enforcement reported they found multiple homemade guns, along with a 3D printer in the distant settlement of the named area.