Security forces: Curbed activity of group smuggling arms from Latvia to Russia

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday it has curbed activity of an international criminal group linked to organizing a channel of arms trafficking from Latvia to Russia’s central and north-western federal districts.

A Latvian citizen was caught red-handed in the Pskov region, in western Russia, while smuggling arms via the Russian border. Three Russian citizens, who are suspected organizers of the criminal business, as well as five their accomplices living in various regions of the country, were also detained.

More than 30 firearms both of Russian and foreign origin have been seized, as well as gun silencers and parts for manufacturing 40 pieces of weaponry, 13 grenades, 15 kilograms of explosives, detonators and over 15,000 rounds of ammunition.

The FSB investigative agencies have opened criminal cases into arms trafficking by a group of people and arms smuggling, the FSB public relations center has told TASS. Investigation is ongoing to establish the channels of the sales of weapons.