Interpol seizes over 2,800 illegal firearms in Europe and Asia operation

The INTERPOL-coordinated Operation Trigger X, conducted across 17 countries from June 22 to July 5, 2026, resulted in the seizure of 2,823 small arms, nearly 400 hand grenades, and over 40,000 rounds of ammunition. The operation highlights how weapons from conflict zones like the Balkans and Nagorno-Karabakh are diverted to organized crime. Key actions included the seizure of 1,000 military shotguns at the Bulgaria-Türkiye border, the arrest of 152 individuals, and the interception of 15 internationally wanted fugitives.

Overview of Operation Trigger X

• ▪The INTERPOL-coordinated Operation Trigger X, conducted from June 22 to July 5, 2026, resulted in the seizure of 2,823 small arms and light weapons, nearly 400 hand grenades and explosives, and over 40,000 pieces of ammunition.
• ▪Operation Trigger X was conducted across 17 countries with collaboration from EMPACT Firearms, Europol, Frontex, SELEC, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Weaponry linked to conflict zones

• ▪Multiple Soviet-era firearms were seized or voluntarily surrendered in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan during Operation Trigger X, while seizures in Ukraine included two Soviet-made Type 25 grenade launchers.
• ▪A substantial portion of the illegal weaponry seized during Operation Trigger X was linked to former or ongoing armed conflict zones, including the Balkan region, Eastern Europe, and Nagorno-Karabakh.
• ▪During Operation Trigger X, authorities seized 268 hand grenades, with the largest single seizure occurring in Serbia, where 68 grenades trafficked from Bosnia and Herzegovina were recovered.

Seizures at Bulgarian border crossings

• ▪At the Lesovo border crossing between Bulgaria and Türkiye, customs officers impounded two heavy goods vehicles containing over 1,000 military-grade shotguns.
• ▪Bulgarian customs officers seized 73 counterfeit handguns concealed in a truck carrying car parts to western Europe at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing with Türkiye.

Seizures in Serbia

• ▪Serbian authorities discovered a clandestine workshop converting gas and starter guns into firearms, resulting in one arrest and the seizure of dozens of pistols, pistol parts, and 280 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
• ▪Serbian authorities seized two rocket launchers during Operation Trigger X.

Arrests and fugitives detained

• ▪Operation Trigger X intercepted 15 individuals subject to INTERPOL Notices, including five fugitives wanted internationally under Red Notices, and one murder suspect detained in Georgia who was wanted by Türkiye.
• ▪Participating authorities reported 152 arrests during Operation Trigger X related to firearms possession or trafficking, as well as drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and robbery.

Irregular migrant detentions

• ▪Border police in Serbia detained an irregular migrant close to the Hungarian border who was in possession of an automatic rifle and several rounds of ammunition.
• ▪During Operation Trigger X, authorities also intercepted five irregular migrants in North Macedonia.

Other contraband seized

• ▪During Operation Trigger X, authorities also seized illicit drugs, counterfeit cigarettes, and undeclared textiles and food products.
• ▪During Operation Trigger X, Bulgarian authorities seized 20 inflatable dinghies labeled as inflatable mattresses, which intelligence suggests were linked to migrant smuggling networks for clandestine English Channel crossings.

Debatable claims

• ▪The risk of weapons diversion to organized crime justifies restricting arms transfers to conflict zones
• ▪International police coordination is the most effective way to combat cross-border arms trafficking