Azerbaijani police bust firearms smuggling network from Khankendi Special Operation / PHOTO

A special operation conducted by Azerbaijani police has uncovered a network involved in the illegal supply of firearms and ammunition across the country.

Officers from the Khankendi City Police Department discovered that Azer Gahramanov, a resident of the Barda District born in 1973, attempted to transport firearms and ammunition through a checkpoint in Khankendi, the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry told Caliber.Az.

During a vehicle inspection, police found and seized a Kalashnikov rifle (AK) and 30 rounds of ammunition hidden among various items of clothing in Gahramanov’s Mercedes in an attempt to evade detection.

Investigation revealed that Gahramanov received the firearms and ammunition from his father-in-law, Nazim Hasanov (born 1959), and brother-in-law, Murad Hasanov (born 1997), who worked at a restaurant in Khankendi. Police later conducted a search at the restaurant and seized an AK rifle, two Makarov pistols, and 30 rounds of ammunition.

Both Hasanovs admitted that they had been illegally storing the weapons and ammunition with the intention of selling them. Subsequently, Zaur Rasulov was detained in the Gabala District. He had previously been involved in firearms trade alongside Gahramanov and Murad Hasanov. Police seized a CZ pistol and 13 rounds hidden in his home and yard. Additionally, a pneumatic pistol was discovered during a search of Gahramanov’s residence in Barda.

Criminal cases have been initiated under relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and the investigation is ongoing.

By Timur Rzayev