Fully loaded
THIS alarming cache of weapons was allegedly found in a 14-year-old boy's check-in luggage after he flew into Cairns from Western Australia.
A .38-calibre Ruger revolver and Unique .22-calibre pistol were among dozens of weapons found in the youngster's suitcase, police say.
Security officers made the discovery in the Cairns airport's holding bay about 6am on Monday when the boy and his 11-year-old brother prepared to board a flight to Weipa, where their father lives.
Federal police were alerted and Cairns detectives were called out to question the teen.
"He's refused to be interviewed so we don't know what his intentions were," Cairns Child Protection and Investigations Unit Det Sen-Sgt Glenn Horan said.
"It's unusual for someone so young to have possession of firearms at all, let alone to have such a large number of weapons."
The brothers had flown from Karratha, in northern WA, to Perth and then to Cairns.
Police also seized about 14 knives, including two tactical knives and two throwing blades, more than 3000 rounds of ammunition and gun scopes.
All the weapons were allegedly stolen from a gun shop at Karratha.
An airport security source yesterday said that bags were randomly checked in holding areas at the Cairns domestic airport and they believed that was the most likely reason the weapons were found.
Police Minister Judy Spence, visiting Cairns yesterday, praised the officers who found the weapons that had been missed in previous screenings.
"I think what is good is that our airport security is working and that these were detected," she said.
The haul and variety of weapons has alarmed police.
"It's concerning that a 14-year-old could access weapons like this in consideration that one was a rather large calibre handgun and he had ammunition for that weapon," the Far North's Det Insp John Hartwell said.
"We're just thankful that the weapons were detected and they have been recovered."
The boy has been charged with weapons offences as well as bringing stolen goods to Queensland and possession of tainted property.
He will appear in Weipa Children's Court on March 17.
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Weapons cache: Police seized two pistols, 3000 rounds of ammunition and knives from bags in a holding bay at Cairns airport yesterday.
Weapons: Police seized two pistols, 3000 rounds of ammunition and knives from bags in a holding bay at Cairns airport yesterday.
Arsenal: Police seized two pistols, 3000 rounds of ammunition and knives from bags in a holding bay at Cairns airport yesterday.
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