The couple did not have any permits to transport the weapons and were handed over to the Swiss police.
Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi
Swiss border guards have intercepted a car carrying nine firearms near the French-Swiss border.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-Keystone/ac
The occupants of the vehicle, which was registered in France, were a French couple living in Geneva. They were stopped in Biel-Benken in canton Basel Country on January 6. Border officials found two revolvers, two pistols and five rifles in the car, according to information released by the Federal Customs Administration (FCA) on Tuesday.
In addition to the nine firearms, the border guards also retrieved a rifle scope and 145 rounds of ammunition. The 50-year-old man and his 37-year-old wife did not have any permits to transport the weapons. They were handed over to the Basel Country cantonal police along with the firearms.
The number of illegal weapons seized by Swiss customs officials doubled in 2018, according to the FCA’s latest annual report. Customs officials seized 8,251 illegal weapons in 2018 (mainly knives, clubs and similar weapons), up from 4,263 the previous year. The FCA attributes this to the rise in online shopping but also to targeted search operations.
More
More
Regulating firearms in gun-loving Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland’s gun laws and high rates of gun ownership reflect the country’s deep-seated belief in the right to bear arms.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
Top Swiss politician experiences drone attack in Ukraine
This content was published on
Maja Riniker, president of the Swiss House of Representatives, said she had to spend two hours in a bunker during her trip to Ukraine because of Russian drone attacks.
This content was published on
A rockfall caused an interruption of several hours on the Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway between Thusis and Tiefencastel on Thursday.
This content was published on
A 600kg bull that escaped in the Montalchez region of canton Neuchâtel has been found in a pen surrounded by several cows.
Bern chatbot wins UN artificial intelligence award
This content was published on
The Bern-based chatbot "Sophia" has won the United Nations' "AI for Good Impact Award 2025". The chatbot is designed to help victims of domestic violence.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss-French arms trafficking ring dismantled
This content was published on
Information on the trafficking operation was obtained after investigations in France and Switzerland in June and July, said the Marseilles public prosecutor Brice Robin at a press conference in the city on Monday. Two suppliers of weapons were identified – a Swiss and a French citizen – both Swiss residents. A total of 17 individuals…
This content was published on
Switzerland is revamping its national custom services to make it fit for the digital era. The government outlined its plans on Wednesday.
This content was published on
The number of illegal weapons seized by Swiss customs officials doubled in 2018, according to Federal Customs Administration (FCA).
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.