Telco technician implicated in Aussie handgun ring

A 27-year-old telecommunications technician has been arrested in connection with an alleged handgun trafficking ring dismantled by the NSW organised crime squad overnight.

The man was one of three arrested and charged with a range of offences. All were refused bail and ordered to reappear in court tomorrow.

Police alleged the handguns had been imported from Germany using forged documentation.

Raids on a number of premises, including a Sydney post office, were conducted earlier today. A simultaneous raid also took place in Germany.

NSW Police seized a parcel "containing 140 Glock [pistol] magazines, seven firearms, ammunition, small quantities of steroids and prohibited drugs, numerous mail items, documents and computer equipment".

The other arrests in Australia were of a 30-year-old post office licensee and a 21-year-old import business employee.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said authorities would allege the guns "were being imported specifically for use by criminals, including outlaw motorcycle gang members and those in Middle Eastern organised crime groups.

"One firearm has been linked to a south-western Sydney shooting and we are making further inquiries to see if others are similarly linked," he said in a statement.