American woman arrested at Sydney airport after arriving with 24-carat, gold-plated handgun
Border officials in Australia arrested an American in Sydney after she arrived on a flight from Los Angeles with a 24-carat, gold-plated handgun packed in her luggage.
The 28-year-old woman, whose name was not released, was taken into custody on Sunday. She did not have a permit to import or possess a firearm in Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a statement.
It is illegal to “intentionally” import firearms without approval in Australia, a country with strict gun laws. Violators face up to 10 years in prison.
Commander Justin Bathurst commended the agency officers for repeatedly targeting and stopping “illegal, and highly dangerous, goods from crossing Australia’s border.”
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Released on bond
The woman appeared in a Sydney court on Monday and was released after posting bond.
She remains subject to visa cancellation and removal from Australia, pending the outcome of her court case, the release states.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.