A plot dedicated to the illegal manufacture and trafficking of weapons and ammunition has been dismantled in Spain

The Spanish Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal network based in the provinces of Jaén and Granada dedicated to the illegal manufacture and trafficking of firearms and ammunition. Six people have been arrested and another person investigated, of which two are already in provisional prison after being brought before the judicial authorities.

In total, 64 firearms, more than 47,600 metal cartridges, 45 kilos of gunpowder and 14 silencers were seized. In addition to the weapons and ammunition, during one of the searches the Civil Guard found more than 5,000 archaeological pieces from looting at sites from different periods.

This entire operation began as a result of another operation against arms trafficking carried out in Jaén in September 2023, where two people were arrested and two clandestine workshops for the illegal manufacture of weapons were dismantled. From this investigation, the Civil Guard agents were able to identify another series of people residing in the provinces of Jaén and Granada who were also allegedly manufacturing barrels and other parts for the illegal assembly and rehabilitation of firearms. They were also illegally manufacturing ammunition for diversion to the black market.

Once the members of this network were identified and the places where they were suspected of manufacturing, handling and hiding weapons and ammunition were located, the operation was carried out. In total, six people have been arrested and one more investigated in 13 house searches in the two Andalusian provinces.

64 firearms were seized, including three assault rifles and two submachine guns; 47,655 metal cartridges of different calibres; 14 silencers, numerous high-capacity magazines and essential firearm components, 45 kilos of gunpowder, 65,600 primers for the illegal manufacture of ammunition, a lathe for the manufacture of barrels and silencers and 30,000 euros in cash.

During one of the searches, the Civil Guard found a clandestine workshop for the illegal manufacture of ammunition, equipped with a reloading press, a pistol grip and various sets for the illegal manufacture of metal cartridges for short and long-range weapons.

In addition to the weapons and ammunition, the Civil Guard has found more than 5,000 archaeological pieces such as coins, jewellery, arrowheads, utensils and religious objects from looting at sites from different periods with a high historical value. The pieces and objects of archaeological interest now recovered had previously been looted from sites in the province of Jaén. After their seizure, they were made available to the Ibero Museum of Jaén for cataloguing and evaluation, as well as for safekeeping.

Two of the six detainees have been placed in provisional prison after being brought before the judicial authorities. They are charged with the crimes of storing weapons of war, storing regulated weapons, illegal storage and manufacture of ammunition, storage of explosives, trafficking in firearms, illegal possession of prohibited weapons, crimes of risks caused by explosives and other agents, and against historical heritage.

This operation was carried out by the Information Headquarters (UCE 3) of the Civil Guard, together with the Information Groups of Jaén, Seville and Granada, with the support of the Information Section of the Andalusia Zone, the Canine Service of the Civil Guard (weapon detection dogs), the SEPRONA and USECIC of Jaén and the GEDEX of Granada.