Aussie passenger attempts to pass airport security screening with a shotgun

The 39-year-old man from South Wentworthville in Sydney's west was charged with trafficking a prohibited firearm of firearm parts out of Australia.

The man initially told officers that the weapon was a "drenching gun used for agricultural farming", Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson said.

"However, the AFP subsequently determined the weapon was a shotgun broken down into two parts," he said.

"This is a serious weapon with the potential to cause real harm."

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The man was travelling to Lebanon on December 28, 2024, when a security worker at Sydney Airport allegedly spotted parts of the disassembled shotgun and ammunition in his bag.

The shotgun was allegedly not registered in the man's name.

He is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court on January 7.

The maximum penalty for the offence is 20 years imprisonment.