Guns, ammunition seized from Helena Valley home, 31-year-old man charged

A man has been charged with a slew of weapons offences after an extraordinary cache of guns and ammunition were seized from a Perth home.

WA Police and Australian Border Force officers raided the Helena Valley property as part of an investigation into the importation of guns and firearm parts.

Among the items seized were four pistols, five rifles and five homemade silencers.

Officers also found nine steel barrels containing gun parts imported from China, two 3D printers, 6000 rounds of rifle ammunition and boxes of bullets and homemade gun parts.

A 31-year-old man has since been charged with the unlicensed manufacture of firearms or ammunition, possession of a silencer and failure to comply with firearm storage requirements.

The Helena Valley man has fronted court and will next appear on October 1.

Sergeant Sonny Albuquerque said WA Police had zero tolerance for people who flouted gun laws.

“Those in our community who hold a firearms licence do so for specific lawful reasons such as sporting activities, farming and agricultural use, and other activities that are directly linked to their source of income,” he said.

“Persons importing illicit firearms or parts to alter their licensed firearms, that render them unlawful, and those who manufacture illegal firearms or parts are committing offences and will be prosecuted.”

ABF Superintendent Linda Jose said detecting illicit firearms and parts at the border was a high priority.

“The ABF uses highly-trained officers, detector dogs and cutting-edge x-ray technology to identify offences and we will continue to work with partner agencies to combat this criminality,” she said.

“People need to understand that holding a legitimate firearms licence does not allow you to import firearms or firearms parts without a permit.”