New Delhi, Sep 24 (NationPress) The Delhi Police's Special Cell has successfully dismantled a significant interstate arms and ammunition syndicate, leading to a groundbreaking discovery of an illegal cartridge manufacturing facility in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, as reported on Wednesday.

This operation led to the apprehension of three main suppliers and the confiscation of a considerable stockpile of weapons and ammunition.

The suspects, identified as Fazil (50), Jameer (57), and Illiyas (65), all residents of Uttar Pradesh, were taken into custody by a team from the Special Cell's Eastern Range, under the guidance of Inspector Sunil Teotia and the oversight of ACP Kailash Bisht.

The arrests were the result of a thorough investigation initiated by a tip-off on September 22 regarding the movement of illegal arms.

During the operation, authorities seized a total of two semi-automatic pistols, five single-shot pistols, and 210 live cartridges of .315 bore from the suspects.

“During extensive interrogation, Illiyas revealed the existence of an illegal ammunition manufacturing facility operating from a residence near his home,” stated the police.

“A raid was executed at the location with the assistance of the local police in Moradabad, resulting in the recovery of a lathe machine, grinding machine, cartridge-making tools, live cartridges, empty cartridges, bullet leads, gunpowder, and other incriminating materials,” it added.

Moreover, the raid on the Moradabad facility yielded a significant collection of equipment and raw materials, including 257 empty cartridges, 354 bullet leads, 350 empty shells, a quantity of gunpowder, 20 solid brass rods, and brass scrap, along with other tools utilized in ammunition manufacturing.

Police reports suggest that the syndicate was actively supplying illegal arms and ammunition throughout the Delhi-NCR area.

Illiyas, who comes from a family of brass utensil manufacturers, learned the techniques of ammunition production at a young age and has been engaged in the illegal trade for approximately 20 years.

He had previously faced arrest for similar crimes but returned to his illicit activities after being released.

In a similar vein, Jameer, who left school to support his family, met Illiyas around 5-6 years ago and began supplying weapons and ammunition.

This bust represents a significant setback to the illegal arms trade, highlighting the continuous efforts of law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal networks supplying weapons in the area.