SSU detains three arms dealers planning to sell russian sniper weapons and grenade launchers to local criminals
The SSU prevented illegal arms trafficking in three more regions of Ukraine. As a result of complex measures in Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv and Zakarpattia regions, organizers of illegal business were detained.
The offendersattempted to sell weapons and ammunition found in the de-occupied areas in the south and east of Ukraine to criminals.
The seized items include a russian tank machine gun, grenade launchers, sniper rifles and explosives.
InVinnytsia region:
The SSU detained a dealer who prepared for sale an arsenal of trophy weapons and ammunition worth UAH 3 million.
It was established that the offender bought online defective ammunition, then restored it and searched for customers for sale.
It was documented that the suspect tried to sell a russian AK-12 and a Dragunov sniper rifle worth UAH 300,000 (USD 8,245).
In Zakarpattia region:
A head of a local NGO was detained for keeping a Degtyarev handgun with ammunition in a friend’s car.
According to findings, in addition to illegal possession of weapons, the offender is suspected of being involved in the embezzlement of volunteer funds that he collected for the needs of the Armed Forces.
Allegedly, he committed an assassination attempt and robbery of his office to cover up the crime.
In Mykolaiv region:
SSU officers found a cache with ammunitionequipped in a warehouse of a local garage cooperative.
Investigative measures identifiedthat the "owner" of the arsenal is a local resident who moved weapons and ammunition to the cache from the battlefields in the region.
Investigations are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The detainees have been served notices of suspicion under Article 263-1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives). They are in custody facingup to 7 years in prison.
All seized weapons are to be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The SSU Office in Vinnytsia, Zakarpattia and Mykolaivregion together with the National Police carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of regional Prosecutor’s Offices.
