India’s biggest AK-47 smuggling racket busted 

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE: On 29^th August, two army jawans, storekeeper of the Central Ordnance Depot (COD), Jabalpur, a retired armourer, a Bihar police constable, two Bihar government school teachers and at least a dozen arms smugglers and middlemen are among the 35 people were arrested after Bihar police exposed one of India’s biggest smuggling racket of the gas operated, Russian made AK 47 assault rifles meant for use only by armed forces.

National Investigation Agency is investigating the matter under sensitivity and wider ramifications. According to their report the racketeers have smuggled more than 100 AK 47s rifles from the COD, Jabalpur and sold them to arms smugglers in Bihar’s Munger district. Bihar police, however, in its finding so far puts the figure to around 70-80. In all, 21 of those smuggled rifles have been recovered so far while police and NIA are hopeful of recovering more shortly.

Munger’s SP Babu Rama, who has constantly worked hard for 3 months investigating the matter said, “The racket is far bigger than we had anticipated. And it’s getting further bigger by the day as more people are being arrested and the smuggled arms are being recovered.”

Munger has become the most notorious place in India for smuggling of all sorts of weapons including the sophisticated AK 47 rifles.

He also added, “It has got a market for firearms and their sale and purchase has remained easy here since decades. We have found out that besides, COD, Jabalpur, the local arms smugglers have strong links with their counterparts in the northeast from where they have been getting steady and regular supply of firearms of different makes. We are probing their international links if any.”

The issue again came in light after police arrested Mohamad Mahzaab from Barda village along with two pistols and several live cartridges, thereby indicating that locals trade in all kinds of weaponry.

According to the report, the smugglers confirmed of buying AK-47 worth Rs. 5 lakhs would fetch them more than double the amount.

Last week, Munger police official wrote to economic office wing of Bihar, seeking possession to confiscate properties of the arrested arms smugglers, who have allegedly amassed huge wealth through the illegal and ‘dangerous’ means.