Spate of gun busts in pre-election crime sweep sees more than 50 firearms confiscated
Police arrested a man in Taichung City yesterday found to be in possession of a Beretta pistol loaded with dumdum bullets, and a revolving shotgun, in the latest of a series of raids that has seen 56 firearms confiscated, and dozens of people arrested.
Police officers from Taoyuan City’s Pingzhen Branch had long been attempting to track a 50-year-old man named Zheng, who was suspected of being part of a gun trading syndicate. Zheng was of no fixed abode and constantly on the move. Yesterday, November 28, police were informed that Zheng was staying at a motel in Xitun District, Taichung City.
A police team swooped on the motel and broke down the door to Zheng’s room, immediately restraining him before he could reach for a weapon.
In Zheng’s bag, police found a Beretta pistol loaded with expanding (dumdum) bullets, and a revolving shotgun with 10 shotgun shells.
Dumdum bullets were also found during a raid in Kaohsiung City just a few days ago. The bullets are designed to expand upon hitting a target, causing horrendous injuries. The expanding bullets have been banned for use in warfare since the Hague Convention of 1899.
A nation-wide police sweep designed to disarm gangsters in order to prevent interference in the upcoming Presidential elections in January began last month. Between November 20 and 26 alone, a total of 40 cases were handled, with 42 suspects arrested. Two standard firearms, 40 modified guns, and 14 airguns were confiscated.
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