Woman with alias 'Barbie Rainbow' faces Sydney court over weapons importation - ABC Online

Updated December 11, 2013 18:47:03

A woman who uses the alias 'Barbie Rainbow' has faced a Sydney court, charged over the importation of hundreds of illegal weapons including 'lipstick tear gas'.

The 49-year-old was arrested at St Andrews, in the city's south west, yesterday morning following raids which police say uncovered a stockpile of weapons.

Customs officers stopped a shipment at the New South Wales container examination facility earlier this month and seized a wide range of weapons including more than 200 replica pistols and air soft pistols; batons; knuckle dusters; electronic shock devices disguised as smart phones and flashlights; 200 tear gas 'lipsticks' and an assortment of BB gun ammunition.

Police allege the items were being sold at the Fairfield markets. It follows the arrest of a man and the seizure of a similar weapons haul in November.

The woman, Hong Zhou, appeared in Campbelltown Local Court. The 49-year-old was refused bail and will re-appear next week.

The magistrate said the nature of the charges was "extraordinarily serious", and said the accused posed a flight risk.

Topics: courts-and-trials, police, sydney-2000

First posted December 11, 2013 18:44:47