https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-24/ ... /100160832
A man accused of trafficking dozens of high-powered guns across state borders and selling them to alleged criminals on the black market for a significant profit has pleaded not guilty to weapons offences.
Key points:
It is the first time the offence has been prosecuted in Queensland
The prosecutor said the plan was to put guns "into the hands of people who weren't meant to have them"
Police don't know what happened to at least 82 guns
Wayne Yanko is on trial in the Brisbane District Court facing four counts of the cross-border offence of acquisition of a firearm.
It is the first time the offence has been prosecuted in Queensland.
Crown prosecutor Lincoln Crowley alleged that in 2016 Mr Yanko and two other men devised a plan to obtain a gun dealer licence under a business name so they could legally purchase weapons and then on-sell them to people who were not licensed.
"This plan was about getting those guns and moving them out of the system," he told the court.
Mr Crowley said it was alleged the group bought 131 semiautomatic handguns, the majority from stores in Brisbane, and shipped them to customers who were alleged criminals in New South Wales and Western Australia.
"What was being done, was to get them into the hands of people who weren't meant to have them," he said.
The court heard the group used encrypted messaging applications to talk about the types of guns they should purchase, including 9mm NP22 and NP42 pistols.
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under Commonwealth legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A01078
360.2 Cross‑border offence of disposal or acquisition of a firearm
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or a fine of 2,500 penalty units, or both.
(2) Absolute liability applies to the paragraph (1)(a) element of the offence.
under Queensland legislation
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view ... pt.3-div.2
36 Sale or disposal of weapons
(a)for a category D, H or R weapon—100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment; and
(b)for a category C or E weapon—60 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment; and
(c)for a category A or B weapon or a category M crossbow—20 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.