A 32-year-old Bentleigh East man has been charged over the alleged importation into Victoria of 71 conducted energy devices and 30 canisters of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray. He is expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 October 2026.
The Australian Federal Police began investigating on 13 August after being alerted to a suspicious parcel at a sorting facility at Melbourne Airport. An examination found two conducted energy devices and six cartridges inside.
Further inquiries, assisted by the Australian Border Force, linked the parcel to several other international air cargo consignments intercepted and seized over a two-month period.
On 12 October, AFP officers searched homes in Lynbrook and Bentleigh East. They seized about $10,000 in cash, postal records, 30 canisters of OC spray and documents relating to alleged future imports.
The man faces five charges: two counts of importing tier 2 goods, one count of causing a dangerous article to be carried by a postal service, and two counts of possessing controlled weapons. The maximum penalties are 10 years’ imprisonment for the first two offences and two years for the weapons charges.
He was granted conditional bail and is due in court today. AFP Acting Commander Donna Tankard said prohibited weapons posed a significant risk to community safety.
