Published on •Updated
A substantial amount of illegal weaponry linked to former or ongoing armed conflicts in eastern Europe, the Balkan region and Nagorno-Karabakh was seized by what is presented as a first-of-its-kind Interpol-coordinated operation.
From 22 June to 5 July, the INTERPOL-coordinated Operation Trigger X targeting illicit firearms trafficking across Europe and Central Asia has permitted to seize “2,823 small arms and light weapons, almost 400 hand grenades and explosives, and over 40,000 pieces of ammunition”, according to an Interpol press release.
More than 152 people were arrested in relation to firearms possession or trafficking, but also for drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and robbery.
Participating authorities arrested 15 individuals subject to Interpol Notices, including five fugitives wanted internationally under Red Notices.
Conflict zones illicit firearms trafficking
Many firearms linked to conflicts in eastern Europe and countries in Central Asia were seized by customs officers. A major seizure at the border crossing between Bulgaria and Turkey involved two heavy goods vehicles containing over 1,000 military-grade shotguns.
“Operation Trigger X has revealed the high-level risk of weapons that are used in armed conflicts being diverted into organised crime channels, where they are used to commit other crimes”, said Harald Arm, Executive Director of Police Capabilities at Interpol.
“These seizures demonstrate the importance of coordinated international action to identify trafficking routes, dismantle criminal networks and prevent illicit firearms from reaching those who seek to use them for criminal purposes”.
Firearms, handguns and explosives were seized during the operation. A total of 268 hand grenades were recovered, while the largest single seizure was made in Serbia, where 68 hand grenades were being trafficked from Bosnia.
Authorities also discovered a “clandestine workshop converting gas and starter guns into firearms” in Serbia.
Inflatable boats linked to migrant smuggling
The operation led to the seizure of 20 inflatable dinghies in Bulgaria that were being shipped to a western European country.
“Intelligence suggests that the shipment was linked to criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and intended for use in clandestine English Channel crossings”, says the Interpol press release.
Illegal migrants were also intercepted during the operation; one of them was in possession of an automatic rifle and several rounds of ammunition.
“Other items seized during the operation included several different types of illicit drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, counterfeit cigarettes and undeclared textiles and food products”, says the Interpol press release.