In a crackdown on the illegal arms trade, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested two key operatives of an interstate illegal arms supply racket. The accused, Rahim and Vishal Solav, were apprehended near Burari Chowk, Outer Ring Road, Delhi, with 20 semi-automatic pistols in their possession.
According to the police, the operation was based on a tip-off about the duo’s activities. The accused were caught red-handed while attempting to deliver a large consignment of illegal firearms to a contact in Delhi, sourced from a manufacturer in Khargon, Madhya Pradesh.
Rahim, a seasoned player in the illegal arms trade with over a decade of involvement, has been previously implicated in more than five criminal cases. He and his accomplice Vishal were found to be part of a larger syndicate operated by Sheikh Azam, alias Ajju, alias Ravan, from Betul, MP. The syndicate is known for procuring and distributing illegal weapons across Delhi, MP, and Maharashtra.
Vishal, a newer recruit, was drawn into the racket by Rahim, his neighbor, and was paid Rs. 5,000 per trip for his involvement. Both individuals have had challenging backgrounds, with Rahim being illiterate and Vishal having only a primary school education, factors that contributed to their descent into criminal activities.
The police said the seized arms, intended to be sold for around Rs. 30,000 each, highlight the lucrative nature of the illegal arms market. The swift action by the Special Cell has not only prevented these weapons from reaching the hands of criminals but also struck a blow to the network supplying them.
The case has been registered at the PS Special Cell, Delhi, and further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the racket and any other individuals involved.