The National Police in the Ternopil region have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal trafficking of weapons
Law enforcement officers in the Ternopil region have uncovered a group whose members were involved in the illegal sale of firearms and ammunition. The special operation involved operatives from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Ternopil region, officers from the criminal police section of the Chortkiv District Directorate, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) staff, dog handlers, bomb disposal experts and investigators, supported by police special units.
According to the investigation, the organiser of the illegal activities is a resident of Husiatyn born in 1982. He enlisted several accomplices to carry out the scheme. One of them stored, transported and sold the weapons, as well as sought out buyers. Three other participants were involved in supplying the weapons.
Separately, criminal investigation officers, together with police from the Zalishchyky police station, documented the activities of a 63-year-old local resident who had set up a cache of prohibited items in an abandoned property.
Officers from the Zbarazh Police Station also recorded the sale of grenades and a grenade launcher. According to the investigation, a 60-year-old resident of one of the local communities is involved in this.
As part of a special operation, law enforcement officers carried out 30 searches at the suspects’ homes and other locations. During the search operations, two Kalashnikov assault rifles, 11 firearms, a grenade launcher, 52 grenades, two mines, 170 30mm calibre shells, 1,700 rounds of ammunition, 35 kilograms of gunpowder and 10 kilograms of explosives were seized.
In addition, 12 kilograms of plastic explosives, 8,889 bullets, 12.2 kilograms of rocket fuel, and components for weapons and munitions were seized.
Law enforcement officers also seized funds obtained from the sale of illegal weapons, including 17,300 hryvnias, 126,860 dollars and 35,670 euros.
Investigators have notified the seven suspects of their suspicion under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for liability for the unlawful handling of weapons, ammunition or explosive substances.
The penalty under this article provides for imprisonment of up to seven years.
The investigation into the case is ongoing. The proceedings are being supervised by the regional and district public prosecutor’s offices.
