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?
Legal action filed against Swiss purchase of Israeli drones
This content was published on
Not only delays and setbacks. To the already troubled issue of the Israeli ADS15 drones, involving the company Elbit and armasuisse, there is now also a legal action, which aims to put an end to the delivery of the six reconnaissance drones.
Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures
This content was published on
The scrub encroachment on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, the bushes continue to spread.
Head of Swiss financial regulator’s Banks division quits
This content was published on
Thomas Hirschi, head of the Banks division of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA will leave at the end of August.
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
This content was published on
In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.
WHO ‘extremely concerned’ about growing vaccination scepticism
This content was published on
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccination scepticism and a collapse in funding for vaccination campaigns pose a major threat to the health of the world's population.
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
Swiss martyr beatified in Barcelona by Catholic Church
This content was published on
François-Benjamin May (1870-1909), a member of the Marist Brothers congregation, has been recognised as a 'blessed' by the Catholic Church.
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.