Kyrgyz Security Services Break Up International Gun Smuggling - Kloop

Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security has detained a suspect in a major arms smuggling operation between the United States and Russia, Orda reports, citing Kloop.

The suspect, identified as S.M.M., was arrested on January 23, 2025, while receiving a shipment containing assault rifle barrels and a Glock-34 firearm.

A citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic, S.M.M., and others purchased firearms in the United States, which were transported through mail to Kyrgyzstan in caches under the guise of various video equipment. The main parts were assembled into a set of ready-to-use firearms and redirected to Russia for further illegal sale,  the State Committee said. 

According to authorities, since April 2022, a network of Kyrgyz, Russian, and American citizens smuggled over 300 firearms to Russia through Kyrgyzstan. The main clients were allegedly criminal community members.

The investigation continues as authorities work to identify other members of the network.