Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Iraq-born Britons are arrested in Greece near Turkish border with more than a dozen guns and 200,000 bullets

  • Police detained two Iraqi-born Britons in the port city of Alexandroupolis
  • A third was held on the Kipoi border point
  • They hid 18 machine guns and more than 200,000 bullets in their trailer 
  • Greek police counter-terrorism officers were dispatched to the area
Greek authorities have arrested three British nationals near the Turkish border after they found heavy weapons and ammunition hidden in their car and trailer.

Two Iraq-born Britons, both in their 20s, were detained by coastguard officers in the port city of Alexandroupolis, near Greece's border with Turkey.

They were said to be carrying 18 machine guns and 39,750 bullets neatly packed in boxes and hidden crypts.

A third, 40-year-old UK resident was held on the Kipoi border point on the Evros river. He was carrying four Walther air rifles, eight scopes and 200,000 bullets. 

Some of the weapons which were found by police hidden in car and trailer in the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis 
Some of the weapons which were found by police hidden in car and trailer in the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis 
Greek authorities said they arrested two Iraqi-born British nationals near the Turkish border after uncovering the weapons 
Greek authorities said they arrested two Iraqi-born British nationals near the Turkish border after uncovering the weapons 
The car and trailer which two British nationals of Iraqi descent used to hide their weapons 
The car and trailer which two British nationals of Iraqi descent used to hide their weapons 

Police also found 400 US dollars, 2,000 Turkish Liras and 10,000 Iraqi dinars on one of the suspects. A second suspect carried 900 euros and five cell phones. 

The men are suspected of being part of a 'criminal gang' and are due to be charged on Tuesday.

The weapons were not combat rifles but could have been used for training, 

Greek police counter-terrorism officers and National Intelligence Agency staff were dispatched to Alexandroupolis, in the north east of the country.

The Foreign Office said it was investigating the reports.

A spokesman said: 'We are urgently looking into reports that two British nationals have been detained in Greece.  

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