British troops smuggling stolen guns to the UK

[*jr]

Source: The Independent

British soldiers are under investigation over the theft of a weapons cache in Iraq. The Ministry of Defence launched an inquiry after troops attempted to smuggle the weapons back to Britain.

The discovery of the weapons, stolen from an Iraqi police station and believed to be one of the largest hauls uncovered, has fuelled growing concerns that weapons confiscated by British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are being brought back illegally to the UK and could get into the hands of criminals.

Fears that weapons from war zones could inflame Britain's growing gun crime problems have prompted high-level talks between the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. Customs and MoD police have stepped up inspections of military bases and convoys, with RAF bases and military ports being targeted as part of a fresh attempt by the Government to restrict the supply of guns.

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/ ... 55683.e...