Europol: ten firearms workshops dismantled, including raids in the Netherlands
December 5, 2023
https://www.crimesite.nl/inhoud/uploads/2023/12/Carmelo2.jpeg-570x428.webpThe European police organization Europol has dismantled ten illegal firearms workshops in Canada, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Ten suspects were arrested in a large-scale operation and 3D printers used to manufacture firearms were also found. In addition, 70 firearms, ammunition and explosives precursors were seized. There were also raids in the Netherlands.
In early 2023, the Spanish Guardia Civil opened an investigation into the manufacture of illegal firearms. The investigation focused on a group of suspects who had purchased specific tools to manufacture or modify firearms throughout Europe and North America. Some suspects had previously been convicted, including for weapons offences.
3D printers
The investigation revealed several illegal workshops for the production of firearms. In some cases, the suspects used heavy industrial machinery, such as lathes and milling machines, to manufacture the illegal weapons. In other cases, they used 3D printers to produce some of the parts needed to assemble the firearms.
Raids
The research activities in the countries have led to fifteen days of action in recent months, in which, in addition to two raids in the Netherlands, raids also took place in Canada (2), Germany (9), Ireland (2), Spain (5), Sweden (1) and the United Kingdom (3).
A total of ten arrests were made: six in Spain, one in Sweden and three in Great Britain. A total of ten illegal firearms workshops have been dismantled in Canada, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Weapons
A total of 70 firearms were intercepted, including assault rifles, 3D-printed semi-automatic submachine guns, pistols and drill presses. Tasers, compressed air rifles, crossbows, bayonets and butterfly knives have also been intercepted, as well as more than 37,000 rounds of ammunition, explosive precursors, gunpowder and a grenade launcher. In addition, weapon parts and components were seized, such as gun barrels, silencers and magazines.
