Swiss Police Support Major Europe-Wide Arms Smuggling Bust
Swiss authorities have played a key coordinating role in a major international operation that dismantled a Europe-wide arms-smuggling network operating across multiple countries in Europe.
The operation, carried out by French law enforcement with support from Europol and the Swiss Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), led to the arrest of ten suspects in southern France. Authorities also seized assets worth more than €1.2 million (CHF 1.1 million) during coordinated raids.
According to Europol, the joint investigation and enforcement action took place between June 8 and June 11 in several locations across southern France, including Fréjus, Cannes, and Nice. The Swiss Federal Office of Police confirmed its involvement in a coordinating role throughout the investigation.
The case originated in June 2025 when investigators discovered two counterfeit pistols inside a luxury vehicle travelling from Switzerland into France. This discovery triggered a wider probe that eventually uncovered a criminal network believed to be mainly composed of Turkish nationals.
During searches of seven properties linked to the suspects, authorities seized counterfeit firearms, luxury vehicles, jewellery, computers, and approximately €30,000 in cash. The findings highlight the scale and organization of the smuggling operation.
Swiss police emphasized that their role was primarily focused on coordination and intelligence support, working closely with European partners to ensure cross-border cooperation. The case demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in tackling organized crime networks operating across national borders.
Officials say such operations are becoming increasingly complex, requiring joint efforts between national police forces and European agencies like Europol to track illegal weapons trafficking and related financial activities.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to analyze evidence and identify additional links within the network.