A shotgun allegedly found in the luggage of a man trying to leave Australia was an “inoperable” antique, a court has been told.
Antonios Moussa, 39, could serve up to 20 years in prison if he is caught violating arms trafficking laws.
Moussa was alerted by Sydney Airport security on December 28 after an X-ray scan revealed a suspicious item in his checked luggage.
According to police, an inspection of the bag revealed parts of a disassembled shotgun along with ammunition.
Moussa was due to fly to Lebanon but spent the following week in prison accused of trafficking prohibited firearms or firearms parts out of Australia.
He met with a large group of family and friends during a bond hearing Tuesday.
While the facts of the alleged crime were “troubling,” Moussa’s attorney said he believed the matter would be straightforward once his client pleaded guilty.
‘It will be shown… that the weapon was not operational. It had… a broken cylinder head,” solicitor Stephen Stanton told Downing Center Local Court.
The 39-year-old was alerted by Sydney Airport security on December 28 after an X-ray scan revealed a suspicious item in his checked luggage.
“It’s an old gun, about 80 years old.”
While accepting Moussa does not pose an unacceptable risk to the community, Magistrate Hugh Donnelly said a prison sentence could still be a real possibility due to the nature of the charge.
“In this case it is likely that a custodial sentence will be imposed due to the way the offense is classified,” he told the court.
He granted bail under conditions that included reporting twice a week to police, causing Moussa’s wife to burst into tears.
The court was told Moussa was a director of at least five companies.
Among them were clothing, carpentry and urban development companies.
While he had a firearms license that was suspended following his arrest, police allege the shotgun was not registered to him.
AFP Acting Detective Superintendent Dom Stephenson described the weapon allegedly found in Moussa’s bag as capable of causing real harm.
Moussa joined a large group of family and friends during a bail hearing at Downing Central Court on Tuesday.
“There was supposedly an initial claim that the weapon was a water gun used for farming,” he said.
“However, the AFP later determined that it was a shotgun divided into two parts.”
“Airport security screening staff were vigilant and, together with AFP officers, acted quickly to ensure the safety of travelers and prevent weapons from being taken into the sea.”
Moussa is due to return to court at a later date.