Annual Report - COMPLETE - Australian Crime Commission

Figure 4.3: Firearms Traffi cking Determination arrests and charges by month
Number
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Jul
Arrests
Aug
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Operation Pewsey
This joint ACC and NSW Police investigation targeted .32
calibre key-ring fi rearms being manufactured and sold
in NSW. Nine-hundred and two key-ring fi rearms were
seized during the operation, with suffi cient components
to produce another 2500 firearms. Ten people were
arrested on 55 charges; the manufacturer was identifi ed
and closed down. Other fi rearms seized as part of this
operation included four pistols, a machine pistol, 49 stun
guns, mace, and a crossbow. Clandestine laboratory,
chemicals, and cannabis were also seized during the
investigation. The seizures confi rmed that illegal fi rearms
are being manufactured in Australia.
Operation Backford
Sep
Oct
Charges
Nov
In Project Backford, the ACC investigated the traffi cking of fi rearms to OMCGs in
Western Australia with possible links to Melbourne. The operation established that
a fi rearms dealer diverted in excess of 700 fi rearms (mainly handguns) to the illicit
market. The dealer has been charged. Seven examinations were conducted which
provided valuable intelligence on fi rearms traffi cking and organised tax evasion and
facilitated in the recovery of 68 handguns.
Dec
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Jan
Month
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
A key-ring gun
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ACC ANNUAL REPORT 2003–04 I 57
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OUTPUT 1.3: INVESTIGATIONS INTO FEDERALLY RELEVANT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY