NSW man charged with bringing a box cutter knife on an international flight

A Central Coast man, 75, is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (17 September, 2024) on a charge of allegedly possessing a prohibited item on board an aircraft.

The AFP responded to a request for assistance at Sydney Airport on 23 July, 2024, after a box cutter knife was located by airline staff on a plane preparing to depart for Los Angeles, USA.

The prohibited item was seized by airline staff and provided to a US air marshal also onboard.

AFP officers attended the aircraft, which had returned to the airport terminal, and interviewed airline staff, passengers and the US air marshal. The plane was searched by specialist AFP teams to ensure there were no other prohibited items on the aircraft and the passengers went through another security screening.

The Central Coast man was interviewed by AFP officers and was later issued a court attendance notice to face a charge of possession of a prohibited item on board an aircraft, contrary to section 57 of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (Cth.) The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment.

If you require a police presence at an airport, wish to report an incident, or provide information, please call the AFP's Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).