It was during a search of two of the shipping company’s ships in mid-July that the illegal importation of weapons and ammunition was discovered. Then, among other things, 50 weapons were seized. According to them, the explanation behind why the shipping company has brought weapons and ammunition was protection against polar bears. – Serious breach of the weapons law Police attorney at the Chief of Staff, Magnus Rindal Fredriksen, describes the breach as serious, and says the size of the penalty reflects this. – In addition to the corporate penalty, the shipping company had 37 weapons and almost 3,800 cartridges confiscated during the searches. In addition, NOK 130,000 has been confiscated, which corresponds to the value of a further 13 weapons. It was a report of concern from the Governor’s Weapons Administration that led to the opening of criminal proceedings and the initiation of an investigation. – We have skilled and observant case managers in the weapons administration who notified the police. This shows that the system works, says Fredriksen. Destroying the weapons The French shipping company has now adopted both the corporate penalty of NOK 800,000 and the confiscation requirements. – What is happening now is that the weapons and ammunition we have seized will be destroyed. The authorities recommend that you carry a firearm to protect yourself from polar bears outside the city limits on Svalbard. But the police attorney reminds us that the Weapons Act also applies in Svalbard. – So those who are going to travel within Svalbard’s territorial waters have to follow the laws and regulations that apply here, and it is their duty to familiarize themselves with them.
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NOK 800,000 in fines for violating the weapons law on Svalbard – news Troms and Finnmark
