52 arrested in Spain, Lithuania for gun, drug trafficking

VILNIUS, Lithuania – European law enforcement agency Europol says 52 people have been arrested in a crackdown on a drug and weapons smuggling network in Spain and Lithuania.

Europol said Monday the group hid marijuana in fruit and vegetable shipments inside Europe. At the same time, it modified deactivated firearms to put them back into use and sold them, Europol said.

The operation, which started in 2015, resulted in the dismantling of marijuana plantations in Spain and workshops for modifying weapons in Spain and Lithuania.

Lithuanian police said at least 50 guns were seized, including AK-47 assault rifles and Makarov pistols.

Lithuanian deputy police inspector Edvardas Sileris said the group bought the guns from collectors and gun enthusiasts and reactivated them at its workshops.

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