A teenager who admitted importing hundreds of weapons from China has been released on bail after a Victorian judge heard he was at risk of radicalisation in prison.
Mehmet Azami, 19, had previously been linked to an alleged Anzac Day terror plot targeting police but prosecutors told the Victorian County Court he had no knowledge of the alleged plan.
Federal police in April opposed an initial bail application by Azami on the grounds he posed an unacceptable risk to the community.
On Thursday they said the greater risk was that he would become radicalised in custody.
"The concern is he's at greater risk of radicalisation and declining mental health in custody," Detective Acting Sergeant Adam Folley told the a pre-sentence hearing.
Prosecutor Andrew Doyle said Azami had imported 332 weapons, but only came to the attention of a counter-terrorism task force because he was recorded having a phone conversation with Harun Causevic, 18.
Causevic, Azami and Sevdet Besim, 18, of Hallam, were arrested on April 18 in pre-dawn counter terrorism raids.
Besim is the only one who faces a terror charge after charges against Causevic were dropped.
Azami was never charged with terror offences.
"There's no evidence to indicate that the offender had any knowledge of the alleged intended actions of Mr Besim," Mr Doyle said.
Azami has pleaded guilty to importing AK-47 Cold Steel flick knives, knuckle dusters, extendable batons and tasers designed to look like iPhones from China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Lawyer Charlie Atlas, for Azami, told Judge Roy Punshon the teenager had no prior convictions and had "fallen into" crime.
Mr Atlas said Azami had already served almost six months and called for a corrections or supervision order when the teenager is sentenced.
"He's effectively done his time on remand," Mr Atlas said.
"He now deserves his chance at rehabilitation."
Judge Punshon granted bail to Azami, who will return to court on December 15.
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