A resident of Novosibirsk is suspected of illegally selling firearms. The report came from TASS, which cited the press service of the regional FSB as the source. Law enforcement officials say the investigation is active and focused on tracing the supply channels and the network behind the sales, with inquiries extending to multiple locations and possible buyers in several cities.
According to investigators, individuals bought pistols, rifles and other weapons from sellers and then moved them to customers in different cities, including places beyond Russia’s borders. The scope of the operation points to a broader pattern of activity that careful scrutiny is aiming to map, with authorities emphasizing the seriousness of illicit arms distribution and its potential international implications.
In the course of searches, authorities found a varied arsenal at the suspect’s residence and in the homes of his suppliers. The inventory included several types of pistols, a Maxim machine gun, and 11 Mosin and Mauser rifles. In addition, more than a thousand rounds of ammunition were recovered during the investigation, underscoring the scale of the haul and the risk posed by such weapons being circulated outside proper controls.
Experts noted that the bolts of the so-called cooled Mosin rifles sold are suitable for combat use, a detail cited in the reporting. This assessment highlights the potential lethality of the firearms involved and the seriousness with which the authorities view the case, underscoring the need for strict adherence to weapon-handling laws and tighter enforcement against illegal sales.
The individual was detained, and a criminal case was opened under the article covering illegal sale of firearm parts. The case reflects a broader crackdown on illegal arms trafficking, with investigators outlining the steps being taken to determine the extent of the network and to identify all parties involved in the scheme.
Earlier in Kursk, a 22-year-old man was detained for selling ammunition he found in various warehouses near the border. He reportedly used online platforms to move the material, exploiting the ease of access those channels provide to reach buyers across a wide area. The episode illustrates how small pieces of a larger puzzle can enable significant illegal activity in the firearms market.
Previously a man in the Belgorod region was reported to be involved in selling NATO rifles. The reports point to ongoing concerns about the illicit trade of military-standard weapons in border-adjacent regions, where monitoring and enforcement are particularly critical to prevent diversion into illegal channels and to protect public safety.