Selling trophy machine guns and explosives to criminals: gang of "black gunsmiths" detained

The SBU together with the National Police prevented the illegal sale of weapons and ammunition in three regions of Ukraine. As a result of complex measures in Kyiv, Donetsk and Dnipro regions, 5 organizers of illegal business were detained red-handed. This was reported by the SBU press service, according to UNN.

Details

It is noted that the offenders tried to sell samples of munitions found at the sites of former clashes to criminals. Among the seized items are Russian Pecheneg and Cord machine guns, AK-12 assault rifles, an arsenal of anti-tank grenade launchers and explosives.

Yes, in the Kyiv region:

A representative of a volunteer formation of the Kyiv territorial community, who was selling trophy weapons, was detained. The suspect was looking for potential customers on specialized Internet forums and through his own connections in criminal circles. The offender used an abandoned unfinished building on the outskirts of Kyiv to store munitions. Law enforcement officers detained the offender on an attempt to illegally sell an AK-74 rifle and four combat grenades.

During the inspection of the cache and searches at the detainee's place of residence, additional items were seized:

• 4 kg of explosives with electric detonators;

• more than 20 grenade launcher shots;

• 16 combat grenades;

• 2 Kalashnikov rifles;

• 2 pistols, including Makarov systems;

• more than 2 thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

In Donetsk region:

Two more dealers who sold trophy weapons in the frontline areas of the region were detained. One of the suspects was detained when he tried to get $32,000 for selling an arsenal of munitions. Among them: large-caliber machine guns "Utes" and "Kord", a sniper rifle Dragunov and anti-tank missile system "Bassoon".

At the same time, another suspect was detained near the front line, who was "arranging" the sale of another batch of weapons.

In Dnipro:

A former member of the disbanded police force and his accomplice were detained for trying to sell a Russian large-caliber Pecheneg machine gun and four Kalashnikovs underground.

All five detainees were served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives). The criminals are in custody. They face up to 7 years in prison.

Recall

In May, the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police disrupted a criminal group that was selling sniper rifles, machine guns and grenades in different regions of Ukraine, detaining the organizers red-handed and seizing a large batch of illegal weapons.