A suspected French extremist carrying cans of chemical mace was caught trying to enter Australia two days after the Paris terror attacks, officials revealed Wednesday, with security screening of travelers from Europe tightened up.
Attorney-General George Brandis said the French national was detained at Melbourne airport on November 15 after arriving from the Middle East and deported.
"There was an intervention by Australian Border Force including its counter-terrorism unit," Brandis told ABC radio, according to AFP. "He was found to be in possession of prohibited goods, namely three cans of mace, his visa was revoked, he was held in detention and deported from Australia."