Man charged after police raid 3D-printed firearms operation in Kaiapoi

Police have dismantled an illicit 3D-printed firearms operation in Kaiapoi, seizing more than 300 firearms, parts and ammunition. The raid, part of Operation Cross Country, uncovered five 3D printers, including one that was operating when officers arrived. Among the items seized were five fully operational 3D-printed firearms and two cut-down firearms.

A 45-year-old man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday facing multiple charges. The charges include seven counts of unlawful possession of a pistol and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. He also faces charges for manufacturing firearms using illegal parts, possessing a digital blueprint with intent to illegally manufacture an arms item, and intentional manufacturing of a firearm without a business licence.

The seizure included 33 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of 3D-printed parts. These parts consisted of 50 receivers, 34 magazines, 35 suppressors, 23 slides, 28 cylinders, 12 barrels, 64 springs, five foregrips and 107 miscellaneous parts.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said, “These are firearms and ammunition that will never reach their intended destination, and our community is safer as a result”. Hill noted that the operation involved the Gang Disruption Unit, Offender Prevention Team and Armed Offenders Squad. He stated that further arrests or charges could not be ruled out while firearms experts assess the seized items.

Where reports differ

• Reports differ on whether the man's court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday or today

Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times, 1News, The Press and NZ Herald.