International Arms Investigation Crosses the Atlantic

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September 13, 2006 11:21 AM

A key arrest was made and hundreds of firearms seized today in England in a massive international arms investigation conducted by British and U.S. authorities, officials say.

A 55-year-old man, believed to be a "major player" in the arms case, was arrested for suspicion of supplying firearms from a residential address, and several pump-action shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons were recovered.

According to federal officials, a New Jersey man was also questioned by federal authorities for a possible connection to the raid in England but was later released.

The federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency is the lead agency for the U.S. in the case, which is dubbed "Operation Trident," and which British officials say has been going on for six years.

"For eight months, the ATF has worked with the U.K. in this case, and we are conducting follow-up work in the United States today," said Richard Marianos, an ATF official.

Marianos stressed that British authorities are the lead agencies in the case, which became international in scope more than eight months ago.  There have so far been no U.S. arrests in the operation.