Interpol coordinated a major international operation that led to the seizure of 2,823 illegal firearms and more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition across 17 countries in Europe and Asia. The operation, called Trigger X, was carried out between June 22 and July 5 and focused on illegal firearms trafficking in Europe and Central Asia.
In addition, authorities confiscated nearly 400 grenades and explosives. More than 150 people were arrested for crimes related to firearms possession and trafficking, as well as drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and theft.
The operation also revealed the risks linked to weapons coming from past and ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Nagorno-Karabakh. For example, Bulgarian authorities intercepted two trucks carrying more than 1,000 military-style shotguns at the border with Turkey.
Serbian authorities also discovered a clandestine workshop that converted gas and blank-firing pistols into real firearms. Meanwhile, 268 hand grenades were recovered during the operation, including a large shipment of grenades trafficked from Bosnia.
The investigation also uncovered links between weapons trafficking and other criminal activities. In Bulgaria, authorities seized 20 inflatable boats believed to be connected to migrant smuggling networks operating toward Western Europe.
Overall, Operation Trigger X showed the importance of international police cooperation in identifying trafficking routes, dismantling criminal networks, and preventing illegal weapons from reaching organized crime groups.
Reference
Euronews. (2026, October 9). Interpol operation seized 2,800 illegal firearms across Europe and Asia. Euronews.
https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/09/interpol-operation-seized-2800-illegal-firearms-across-europe-and-asia