Over 2,800 illegal firearms and 40,000 pieces of ammunition seized in operation in Europe and Central Asia
A first-of-its-kind police operation targeting illicit firearms trafficking across Europe and Central Asia has resulted in the seizure of 2,823 small arms and light weapons, almost 400 hand grenades and explosives, and over 40,000 pieces of ammunition, the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments announced on 9 October.
The EU-funded and INTERPOL-coordinated Operation Trigger X took place between 22 June and 5 July across 17 countries and highlighted the long-term impact of conflict stockpiles on firearms trafficking.
Operation Trigger X was conducted under the European Union Project I ARMS V and the German Foreign Ministry I-FORCE Project, with additional support from the European Support to Strengthen the Fight Against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans – EU4FAST Project – European Union.
With investigations ongoing, currently available operational results from Operation Trigger X indicate that a substantial amount of the illegal weaponry seized was linked to former or ongoing armed conflict zones, including the Balkan region, Eastern Europe and Nagorno-Karabakh. Multiple Soviet-era firearms were also seized or voluntarily surrendered in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
“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.”
In addition to seizures, participating authorities reported 152 arrests related to firearms possession or trafficking and other crimes and offences such as drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and robbery. A total of 15 individuals subject to INTERPOL Notices were intercepted, including five fugitives wanted internationally under Red Notices. One individual, who was detained by authorities in Georgia, is wanted by Türkiye on suspicion of murder.
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