Romanian police officers confiscate more than 600 weapons in ten days

Romanian police officers found 240 offences, applied 54 fines, and confiscated 634 lethal and non-lethal weapons, 11,000 lethal and non-lethal cartridges, and 328 kg of game meat, in just ten days. A total of 404 police officers carried out searches and controls across the country, as part of actions aimed at verifying the possession of weapons and ammunition, and preventing and combating wildlife poaching, between November 9 and November 18, 2016. During these actions, the police officers conducted 34 home searches, 84 checks at companies, and 458 controls at individuals holding weapons, and 13 checks at shooting ranges. They found 240 offences, 12 people being arrested or placed under judicial control, and applied a total of 54 fines with a value over EUR 20,000. The police officers also applied 124 complementary measures, which means that, in this case, they cancelled the people’s right of owning weapons and ammunition. The police confiscated 243 weapons (85 lethal and 158 non-lethal), 78 of them being hunting weapons, two being used for security and defence, 55 being guns with rubber bullets, and 35 being guns with irritating tear gas. According to a statement from the police, 85 of these weapons were held illegally. The officers also seized 8,445 lethal cartridges, 2,603 non-lethal cartridges, 328 kg of game meat, 12 traps, 100 grams of gunpowder, and 50 staples for hunting cartridges. Moreover, they seized 391 lethal and non-lethal weapons from a company in Dambovita county, after withdrawing its operating license. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com