The case in summary Two men from Grenland, 31 and 34 years old, have been convicted of arms trafficking following an undercover investigation by the police. The police found five converted stun guns in a car after a meeting between the men and a third person. The 34-year-old admitted to having sold the weapons, while the 31-year-old denied criminal guilt, but admitted to having been involved when the weapons were purchased. The court concluded that both men were involved in the arms trade, and that the money they were carrying came from the sale. The 34-year-old has been sentenced to six months in prison, while the 31-year-old must serve seven months. Both received a sentence one month shorter than what the prosecution requested. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s ​​journalists before publication. The police carried out a covert investigation against the criminal environment, where, among other things, communication control was used. The search for the accused The names of two men from Grenland appeared in connection with questions about an arms deal. The police thus started a separate investigation aimed at the men aged 31 and 34. During reconnaissance in October 2022, the police saw that the men met another man in a commercial area in Porsgrunn. Shortly after the meeting, the other person was stopped on E18. In the car, the police found five converted stun guns. Four of the assault weapons were of the type Blow TR17, while the last one was a Blow C75 Photo: The police Had a lot of cash When the Grenlanders were arrested later that evening, the 31-year-old had NOK 107,000 on him, while the 34-year-old had NOK 19,000 in cash. The police believe the money came from the sale of the five pistols, which after being converted were functional firearms. The 34-year-old admitted during the trial in Telemark district court that he knew the weapons had been converted and that he sold them on the night he was arrested. However, he denied that the sale price was NOK 125,000. In court, he claimed that the 19,000 kroner he had on him came from the sale of some tires the day before. Had sold a boat, the 31-year-old denied guilt, but admitted that he had been there when his friend bought the weapons. However, he denies having participated in the arms sale. During the arrest, the police found a total of NOK 107,000 in various places on the 31-year-old’s body. The man claimed in court that this was money that came from the sale of a boat. The court has concluded that both men were involved in the arms trade, and that the money they had on them came from the arms sale. During the trial, several of the intercepted telephone conversations were played. Among other things, the buyer asks about the price and is told that it costs NOK 25,000 per weapon. The court also heard from the weapons expert from Kripos who examined the weapons. He said the stun guns functioned almost like original handguns. Both in terms of firepower and precision. Unconditional imprisonment The 34-year-old who admitted the arms sale has received six months’ imprisonment, while his comrade must serve seven months. Lawyer Trygve Staff, who defended the 34-year-old, hardly thinks there will be an appeal from their side. – He had pleaded guilty, and got a result that I suppose he will be able to live with, says Staff. Police attorney John Ivar Johansen is satisfied that both defendants were convicted. Photo: Ingvild-Anita Velde / news Both have received one month shorter sentences than what police attorney John Ivar Johansen asked for. He is nevertheless satisfied that the district court has seen the evidence in the same way as he has. – When it comes to the punishment they have been sentenced to, this is somewhat lower than what has been alleged and that is taken into account, Johansen tells news. The 31-year-old’s defender does not want to comment on the verdict. Published 05.07.2024, at 13.45
ttn-69
Converted stun guns sold – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
