Man charged over firearm in luggage at Sydney Airport

SYDNEY, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- A man has been charged by police after a firearm was allegedly found in his luggage at Sydney Airport, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Tuesday.

Officers were called to inspect the luggage of the 39-year-old man after a security worker monitoring an X-ray machine at the airport identified suspicious items on Dec. 28.

"AFP officers inspected the luggage and found parts of a disassembled shotgun and ammunition," a police statement said.

The man was stopped from boarding a flight to Lebanon and was questioned about the firearm, which the AFP said was not registered to him.

He was charged with one count of trafficking prohibited firearms or firearm parts out of Australia.

If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson said that the man allegedly initially claimed the weapon was a drenching gun used to administer liquid medications to livestock.

"However, the AFP subsequently determined the weapon was a shotgun broken down into two parts. This is a serious weapon with the potential to cause real harm," he said.

He said that the vigilance and quick action of security staff and AFP officers had ensured the safety of the traveling public.