SBU dismantles six large-scale weapons trafficking channels
Kyiv • UNN
The SBU dismantled six channels for the sale of captured weapons, detaining military personnel and civilians. 130 grenade launchers and 20,000 rounds of ammunition were seized.
The SBU and police have dismantled 6 new channels for the underground sale of trophy weapons in Ukraine. This was reported by UNN with reference to the Security Service of Ukraine.
Details
In the Kyiv and Donetsk regions, four active and former military personnel were detained for covertly transporting weapons from frontline areas in eastern Ukraine for sale.
Soviet and Russian Kalashnikov assault rifles, including the latest AK-12s, were seized from the detainees. Also recovered were 130 anti-tank grenade launchers, over 380 combat grenades, and nearly 20,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Law enforcement officers detained one of the suspects in the capital region as he was removing a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a grenade launcher from a trunk for sale. Three other perpetrators were detained in Kramatorsk,
Meanwhile, in the Khmelnytskyi region, a former serviceman was served a notice of suspicion; after retiring, he planned to "earn" money by selling weapons brought from the front lines.
During searches, caches were discovered that the man had set up in his own home and in his parents' house. During the inspection of the hiding places, law enforcement officers seized an AKS-74 assault rifle, 16 combat grenades, 74 TNT blocks, 1.2 kg of gunpowder, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition,
In the Kirovohrad region, a dealer was also exposed who recruited acquaintances from various regions to sell hand grenades, as well as two Kalashnikov assault rifles, including an AK-12 with ammunition.
In Bukovyna, another suspect was detained who, while serving in the combat zone, had collected an arsenal of RGO and F-1 type grenades for sale.
In addition, in Kharkiv, a 16-year-old youth was served a notice of suspicion for attempting to sell a Russian Kalashnikov assault rifle with four loaded magazines and three combat grenades. Also, in Zaporizhzhia, a dealer was exposed who was seeking out criminals to sell 150 hand fragmentation grenades brought from the combat zone on the southern front.
The detainees were notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 28 and Part 1 of Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy). The perpetrators face up to 7 years in prison.