A MAN accused of importing more than 20 imitation handguns and soft air firearms has been arrested.

Australian Border Force investigators arrested the 34-year-old from Adelaide on Tuesday and raided two properties at Port Adelaide and Pooraka. More imitation firearms were seized and the man was charged with importing prohibited goods.

ABF was first alerted to the imports when an imitation firearm was found in an air cargo consignment that arrived in Adelaide in June.

media_camera One of the handguns seized by Australian Border Force.

Another 21 importations of soft air and imitation firearms were found and are linked to the man, ABF investigators contend.

The accused appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday and did not ask for bail. He will reappear in November.

media_camera The man was charged with importing prohibited goods including the imitation weapons.

ABF Investigations Commander Graeme Grosse said the imitation firearms were dangerous because they looked realistic.

“(They are) very difficult to distinguish from a genuine gun. This is why we will seize and investigate those attempting to import these,” Commander Grosse said.