Minister O'Connor warns that "people bringing laser pointers into Australia from overseas or ordering over the internet need to be aware that they risk breaking the law" and goes on to illustrate the point [bad pun] by reporting that around 6,000 laser pointers have been seized over the past six months by Customs & Border Protection.
The latter agency has issued a warning that bringing illegal laser pointers into Australia can result in a fine of up to $110,000. As far as I can determine no-one's yet been hit with the big one, which would presumably reflect illicit importation of commercial quantities of pointers rather than two of three in a pocket at Sydney airport or via a padded bag in the post from an overseas supplier.
5875 pointers were seized between July and December last year, up from 6518 in the 2008-09 financial year.
O’Connor went on to say that -
Anyone who brings in these devices without a permit will have wasted their money because their goods will be seized and destroyed. Individuals can also face prosecution.Under Customs regulations, hand-held laser pointers with an emission level greater than one milliwatt (1mW) are prohibited unless prior written permission has been granted.
It is essential that we raise awareness of the possible dangers laser pointers can pose to the community.
