Sterling Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Exporting Firearms Parts Hidden Inside Toy Motorcycles to Australia

A Sterling Heights man pleaded guilty today to willfully exporting firearms parts without a license, announced Matthew Schneider, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.   

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Vance Callender of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Detroit.

Rrok Martin Camaj, 34, entered the guilty plea before United States District Court Judge Terrence G. Berg. 

According to court records, from March 2018 through January 2019, Camaj sent firearms parts—including pistol frames, firing pins, springs, ejectors, and magazines—through the mail to cohorts in Australia.  The parts were thereafter assembled into operable firearms in Australia.  Australia has some of the strictest gun laws in the world.  Black market handguns cost more than $15,000 on the street in Australia.  To lawfully ship firearms and certain firearms parts—including those sent by Camaj—an individual or business must be licensed.  Camaj was not licensed.  

To avoid detection by law enforcement officers, Camaj secreted the firearms parts inside large motorized toy motorcycles. 

“When Americans attempt to exploit the black market for firearms in Australia, we will respond and hold them accountable,” stated United States Attorney Schneider. 

 “Investigating international arms trafficking is a priority for HSI,” said Special Agent in Charge Vance Callender, HSI Detroit. “HSI stands vigilant to deny transnational criminal organizations the ability to use arms to promote criminal activity overseas. I salute AFP for their partnership with us in the investigation. HSI will continue to work with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners to fight international arms smuggling and ensure the integrity of our borders.”

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Superintendent Andrew Bailey took this opportunity to thank the AFP’s Homeland Security Investigation partners and reiterate just how vital international law enforcement cooperation continues to be to Australian operational policing success.

“Attempting to import items like these will always attract a swift and comprehensive response from law enforcement. We do not want unregulated and unchecked items possibly making their way to criminal groups, which then has far-reaching consequences for the safety of the community,” stated Bailey.  “There is now no chance that these weapons will end up on the streets in the hands of criminals. The AFP and our partners will continue to work together with our international colleagues to stop these items entering our community. This is an example of cooperative policing with a positive outcome for everyone.”

Assistant United States Attorney Kevin M. Mulcahy of the Eastern District of Michigan, prosecuted the case.  Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case