Illegal weapons found at raids Belgium

brussels - The Belgian police were on Wednesday at twenty addresses scattered across the country in a major investigation into illegal arms trade.

The research revolves around firearms that have been dismantled, but can be made completely ready for shooting 'very easily'. Seventeen such weapons were confiscated, in addition to 39 other forbidden weapons, the federal prosecutor's office announced.

The house searches were carried out among people suspected of having purchased weapons via the internet in Slovakia. This happened in Antwerp, Brussels, Liège, Flemish and Walloon Brabant, Limburg and Hainaut.

No arrests were made. The buyers of these weapons can be prosecuted for illegal arms trade, forbidden possession of weapons and the conversion of weapons. The sentence is a month to five years in prison, warns the prosecutor.