The first kind of police operation targeting illicit firearms trafficking across Europe and Central Asia has resulted in the seizure of 2823 small arms and light weapons, almost 400 hand grenades and explosives, and over 40000 pieces of ammunition. Operation Trigger X, from 22 June to 5 July 2026, was conducted across 17 countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkiye and Ukraine. Highlighted the long-term impact of conflict stockpiles on firearms trafficking.
In addition to seizures, participating authorities reported 152 arrests related to firearms possession or trafficking, as well as other crimes and offences such as drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and robbery. A total of 15 individuals subject to INTERPOL Notices were intercepted, including five fugitives wanted internationally under Red Notices. Multiple Soviet –era firearms were also seized or voluntarily surrendered in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
In addition to illegal firearms and hand grenades, 20 inflatable dinghies were seized in Bulgaria. Labelled as inflatable mattresses bound for a Western European country, the shipment was intelligence-linked to criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and intended for use in clandestine English Channel crossings. Five irregular migrants were also intercepted in North Macedonia, while border police in Serbia detained a sixth in the region close to the border with Hungary. This individual was in possession of an automatic rifle with several rounds of ammunition.
Other items seized during the operation included several different types of illicit drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, counterfeit cigarettes, and undeclared textiles and food products. According to Harald Arm, Executive Director of Police Capabilities at INTERPOL, Operation Trigger X has revealed the high risk of weapons used in armed conflicts being diverted into organized crime channels, where they are used to commit other crimes.
These seizures demonstrate the importance of coordinated international action to identify trafficking routes, dismantle criminal networks, and prevent illicit firearms from reaching those who seek to use them for criminal purposes.