Six arrests and 110 weapons seized in major arms trafficking investigation

Six people have been arrested and more than 110 weapons were seized in a major investigation into a criminal organisation involved in arms trafficking, the Brussels federal police has announced.

“This organisation, with possible ramifications abroad, is alleged to have distributed counterfeit semi-automatic firearms in the Brussels region in recent months,” the prosecutor's office said.

“The meticulous investigation revealed that this suspected organisation had established its outlet in the Brussels region. It’s suspected of being dedicated to the sale and supply of firearms in Brussels and abroad.

"During the course of the investigation, up to 7 September, police forces seized more than 110 semi-automatic firearms and a large quantity of ammunition."

The seized weapons did not have a control and quality marking, nor an identification number. According to the prosecutor's office, this is a practice favoured by criminals because it makes it very difficult to trace such weapons.

“It also appears that this organisation could have close links with other criminal groups abroad,” the prosecutor's office said.

“Cross-border connections would have enabled it to have large quantities of these firearms transferred to Belgium.”

The investigation took several months, mobilised significant resources and required close cooperation between the various federal police units.

The organisation could finally be dismantled on 7 September during a major police operation led by the police, in which special units also participated.

“The judicial investigation is in the hands of an investigating judge and is still ongoing,” the prosecutor's office added. “In the interest of this, we will not comment further.”