Spanish Police Seize Rocket Launcher and Assault Rifle in Seville Arms Trafficking Operation

Spanish police have arrested three individuals in the province of Seville following an investigation into an illegal war weapons trafficking network linked to organized crime. The operation resulted in the seizure of operational military-grade weaponry intended for drug trafficking groups, according to an official statement from law enforcement authorities.

Police intercepted two of the suspects during a targeted surveillance operation as they attempted to evade officers in a vehicle. During their attempt to flee, the suspects discarded a bag containing a 7.62-millimetre calibre AK-47 assault rifle and a 64-millimetre calibre M80 anti-tank rocket launcher onto the road. Both heavy weapons were inspected and confirmed by law enforcement officers to be in complete working order.

The police investigation originated in June after officers identified evidence pointing to a specialized network devoted to marketing military armaments. Initial enquiries led officers to several individuals based in the municipality of Dos Hermanas who operated as intermediaries between arms suppliers and criminal buyers. Investigators established that assault rifles traded on this illegal market command prices reaching up to €6,000 per unit.

Within the network, one primary suspect was responsible for establishing contacts and negotiating terms with potential buyers. Following the vehicle interception and the immediate arrest of its two occupants, police subsequently identified and arrested a third individual linked to the brokerage of the armaments.

The overall operation involved searches across four residential properties, including three located in Dos Hermanas and one in Seville. All three detainees have been brought before the Investigating Court acting as Duty Court in Dos Hermanas to face formal proceedings.

Written by Martina Kirchner martina.kirchner@alpineweekly.com