Special guards arrested for trading firearms

Four special guards have been suspended from duty pending an investigation into charges of illegal trading in weapons and forming a criminal organization.

The suspects include two 28-year-old members of the DIAS motorcycle-riding squad in Attica, a 27-year-old guard serving in Hania, on the island of Crete, and a 30-year-old officer based in Rethymno. Police have also detained the fourth suspect’s brother, who is 31.

Authorities, acting on a tip-off, arrested the suspects as they tried to smuggle at least six weapons and a large amount of ammunition from Crete to Piraeus port. According to the tip-off, which has not been confirmed, the weapons were to be handed over to a foreign national.

The weapons found in their possession will be sent for ballistic testing to ascertain if they have been previously been used to commit a crime in the country. Authorities believe the gang may have a hidden arms cache with more weapons, which is being sought.

The suspects were expected to appear before a prosecutor late Tuesday.