Major Blow to Illegal Arms Network in Western Uttar Pradesh
In a significant operation targeting the clandestine manufacture of weapons, the Muzaffarnagar police successfully dismantled an illegal arms factory operating from an agricultural field. The raid, conducted on Wednesday, led to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of a substantial cache of illegal firearms.
Details of the Raid and Seizure
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a police team raided the illicit setup located along the Budhana–Kandla road. The factory was cleverly concealed within an agricultural field to avoid detection. During the operation, officials recovered 12 country-made pistols, one country-made revolver, and seven unfinished pistols. Additionally, seven iron barrels of various sizes, likely used in the manufacturing process, were also seized.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Muzaffarnagar, Sanjay Kumar Verma, provided details of the arrests. The accused have been identified as Aslam and Mehtab, both residents of Muzaffarnagar district. Initial interrogation revealed that the duo frequently changed their manufacturing locations to evade law enforcement agencies.
Ongoing Drive Against Organised Crime
SSP Verma highlighted that this bust is part of a sustained campaign against organised crime and illegal weapon networks in the region. With this latest seizure, the district police have recovered a total of 512 illegal firearms and 1,022 cartridges so far this year. This operation marks the third illegal arms factory busted by Muzaffarnagar police in 2024.
According to the police, the arrested men were actively involved in supplying illegal firearms to criminal elements not just in Muzaffarnagar but also in several nearby districts. Their mobile operation strategy made them a challenging target for authorities.
Legal Action and Further Investigation
A formal case has been registered under the stringent provisions of the Arms Act at the Budhana police station. The investigation is currently focused on uncovering the full extent of the network established by the accused. Police are working to identify their suppliers of raw materials, their wider network of associates, and the list of buyers who purchased these illegal weapons.
This successful operation underscores the continued efforts of Uttar Pradesh Police to curb the menace of illegal arms, which often fuel other serious crimes in the state. The crackdown sends a strong message to those involved in such illicit trades in western Uttar Pradesh.
