Australian teenager caught with huge weapons cache at airport

This alarming cache of weapons was allegedly found in a 14-year-old boy's check-in luggage after he flew into Cairns from Western Australia.

A .38-calibre Ruger revolver and Unique .22-calibre pistol were among dozens of weapons found in the youngster's suitcase, police say. Police also seized about 14 knives, including two tactical knives and two throwing blades, more than 3000 rounds of ammunition and gun scopes.

Security officers made the discovery in the Cairns airport's holding bay about 6am on Monday when the boy and his 11-year-old brother prepared to board a flight to Weipa, where their father lives.



Federal police were alerted and Cairns detectives were called out to question the teen.

"He's refused to be interviewed so we don't know what his intentions were," Cairns Child Protection and Investigations Unit Det Sen-Sgt Glenn Horan said. "It's unusual for someone so young to have possession of firearms at all, let alone to have such a large number of weapons."

All the weapons were allegedly stolen from a gun shop at Karratha. The boy has been charged with weapons offences as well as bringing stolen goods to Queensland and possession of tainted property. He will appear in Weipa Children's Court on March 17.