In Odessa, law enforcement officers exposed a local resident who was trying to sell an entire arsenal of ammunition and explosives. The perpetrator was detained immediately after handing over the dangerous “goods” and receiving money.
The operation was conducted by investigators from Police Department No. 3 of Odessa District Police Department No. 1 together with the SBU Department in Odessa Oblast. According to the investigation, the 43-year-old Odessa resident was looking for buyers for grenades and explosives, estimating the arsenal at $2,000.
The man offered for sale five cases of hand fragmentation grenades, four fuses, a homemade detonator, two homemade explosive devices with TNT charges, over 1.4 kilograms of TNT, smoke bombs, and other ammunition, including charges for anti-tank grenades.
He scheduled a meeting for the transfer of weapons in the Khadzhibeyskyi district of Odessa. After receiving the funds, law enforcement officers detained the suspect. They seized ammunition, a mobile phone, and money obtained illegally from him. All the seized items were sent for expert examination.
As reported by senior investigator Tetyana Plahotniuk, the man was charged under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal acquisition, carrying and sale of ammunition without a permit provided for by law.
The court chose a preventive measure for the suspect in the form of detention with the right to post bail in the amount of 266,240 hryvnias.
The investigation established that the detainee already had a criminal past - he was previously tried for robbery, theft, illegal seizure of transport and possession of drugs without the purpose of sale. Currently, law enforcement officers are checking the origin of the explosives and the possible involvement of other persons in the illegal trafficking of weapons.
If convicted, the man faces up to seven years in prison.
