Amsterdam [Netherlands], April 4: According to Europol, investigators have arrested 22 handgun traffickers in a Europe-wide operation. In an operation led by Romania and Bulgaria, law enforcement officials from a total of 31 countries targeted individuals suspected of purchasing weapons from firearms traffickers, Europol said in The Hague on Monday. More than 1,600 weapons, ammunition and explosives were confiscated. The weapons confiscated were mainly alarm and signal pistols, some of which had been converted into live firearms. According to the European police agency, individuals in organized crime often resort to using signal and alarm pistols, as the procurement of illegal firearms is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. Certain models can also be easily converted to fire live ammunition. Most of the confiscated weapons came from Turkey and had been imported legally into the EU. They were then offered for sale legally, above all in Bulgaria but also in other EU countries. The weapons would then be illegally converted into live firearms and traded across Europe. A total of 143 buildings had been searched as part of the operation. The European police agency did not say where the suspects were arrested. The campaign took place from February 20 to 24. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
