European police bust international weapons smuggling ring

BERLIN – European police have smashed an international weapons-smuggling ring operating in at least four countries.

Police say the group traded firearms in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France.

Rudolf Welte of Rottweil police in southern Germany said Wednesday that the gang’s operations came to light following an investigation in Toulouse, France.

Welte said simultaneous raids in the four countries in November led to several arrests and the seizure of large numbers of firearms.

Uta Bachmann of the domestic intelligence service in Austria’s western state of Vorarlberg said more than 150 firearms and hundreds of kilograms of ammunition were seized in that country alone.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Bregenz, Austria, investigators said the investigation wasn’t terrorism-related.