Victorian Man Charged Over Alleged Importation of Conducted Energy Devices and OC Spray

A 32-year-old man from Bentleigh East was scheduled to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 19 October 2026, facing charges related to the alleged importation of 71 conducted energy devices and 30 canisters of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray into Victoria, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The investigation commenced on 13 August 2026 when authorities were alerted to a suspicious parcel at a Melbourne Airport parcel sorting facility. An examination by AFP investigators revealed the package contained two conducted energy devices and six cartridges. Subsequent inquiries conducted alongside the Australian Border Force (ABF) linked this parcel to several other international air cargo consignments intercepted and seized over a two-month timeframe.

On 12 October 2026, AFP officers executed search warrants at residential properties in Bentleigh East and Lynbrook. During the searches, police seized approximately $10,000 in cash, postal records, 30 canisters of OC spray, two mobile phones, a laptop, and documentation allegedly relating to future importations.

The man was granted conditional bail and charged with multiple offences, including two counts of importing tier 2 goods under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth), one count of causing a dangerous article to be carried by a postal or similar service under the Criminal Code (Cth), and two counts of possessing controlled weapons under Victoria's Control of Weapons Act.

AFP Acting Commander Donna Tankard stated that prohibited weapons pose a significant risk to community safety and highlighted ongoing joint efforts between the AFP and ABF to intercept illicit items at the border.

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