New Delhi: The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Thursday arrested an arms trafficker near Akshardham Temple. Police said that 20 illegal pistols of .32 bore and 100 live cartridges were recovered. They identified the accused as Raju Deshi (25), a native of Maharashtra. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) PS Kushwah said that they had received information that the accused will come near Akshardham Temple to deliver a consignment to the criminals. A trap was laid and he was duly apprehended.
DCP Special Cell said that Deshi was earning his livelihood doing farming. He later came in contact with some local criminals involved in the manufacturing of illegal weapons. Initially, he started as a courier on behalf of the illegal firearms manufacturers and later he developed relations with potential receivers and started supplying illegal firearms and ammunitions directly to the criminals.
Police added that the accused used to procure pistols at the rate of Rs 6,000 to 9,000 and sell to his receivers at the rate of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 and sell cartridges at the rate of Rs 250 to 300 each which he procured at a rate of Rs 150 to 175. The accused has been supplying arms and ammunitions to the criminals for the last 2-3 years, according to police. "Forward and backward linkages of this arms network are being verified. Further investigation is underway," they added.