Wanted Motorcycle Leads to Arms Trafficking Probe in Montevideo

A routine check of a wanted motorcycle in Montevideo has led police to uncover a potential internal arms trafficking ring. The investigation, spearheaded by the Departmental Brigade of Automotive Crimes (BR.I.D.D.A.), culminated in a raid on a residence in the Batlle y Ordóñez neighborhood.

During the operation, officers discovered three firearms: a .38 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber revolver, and a 6.35mm pistol. They also confiscated 37 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, along with 17,200 Uruguayan pesos and 800 Dominican pesos. The seized weapons and ammunition have been sent to the National Directorate of Forensic Police for analysis.

The initial discovery occurred on August 7, when police stopped a man riding a motorcycle on General Flores Avenue. Officers determined the motorcycle had been reported stolen. Subsequent intelligence gathering pointed towards a possible internal arms trade, prompting a joint operation involving BR.I.D.D.A. and the General Directorate of Police Information and Intelligence (DIGOE).

As a result of the raid, a 29-year-old foreign national, identified by the initials A.B.V., was placed under total house arrest for 120 days by judicial order. The investigation into the alleged arms trafficking network is ongoing.