Belgian federal police have dismantled a gang that imported and sold semi-automatic weapons on a very large scale, both in Brussels and abroad. No fewer than 90 semi-automatic weapons were seized. Nine people have been arrested as part of the investigation.
Earlier this week, police dismantled a network suspected of large-scale arms trafficking. In recent months, the gang is believed to have imported and distributed illegally manufactured semi-automatic weapons.
The public prosecutor's office suspects that the network's tentacles extend beyond Belgium's borders. ‘It is believed to have supplied customers in Belgium and abroad. Close ties with other criminal groups abroad have also been discovered. These ties facilitated the transport of weapons across borders.’
Sixteen people were arrested during the operation, nine of whom were charged with possession of weapons and ammunition, the sale of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation. During a search some 90 semi-automatic firearms were seized, as well as eight cars and €27,000 in cash.
According to the public prosecutor's office, these weapons are ‘highly sought after in criminal circles’ because they are difficult to trace and widely available on the black market. These are homemade weapons.
Eric Jacobs, federal judicial police director, calls the operation a ‘crucial operational success in the fight against organised crime’. ‘We are demonstrating our willingness to break the cycle of violence in our capital city.’
The Brussels public prosecutor's office is also delighted with the operation. "The number of shootings, including some fatal ones, has increased in Brussels. Both in cases linked to drug trafficking and other criminal offences, the use of firearms has become far too frequent. The Brussels public prosecutor's office has prioritised the fight against this phenomenon. This operation proves that: we are targeting these networks and will continue to do so," says prosecutor Julien Moinil.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues and the police and public prosecutor's office hope to identify other individuals involved in order completely to dismantle the network.