Argentine man arrested in Dominican Republic for manufacturing weapons with 3D printers; five arrested
The Dominican National Police dismantled a network manufacturing ghost guns with 3D printers. Among the five detainees is Argentine citizen Matías Antonio Barrera.
Operation in Santo Domingo dismantles network of weapons manufactured with 3D printers
An Argentine citizen identified as Matías Antonio Barrera was arrested in the Dominican Republic accused of manufacturing and trafficking illegal firearms using 3D printers, according to lmneuquen.com. The operation, coordinated by the Central Intelligence Directorate (Dintel) and the Public Prosecutor's Office, resulted in five people being detained.
The proceedings took place between 24 October and 7 November at two locations in Santo Domingo and in the municipality of Los Alcarrizos, in accordance with an official statement from the Dominican National Police.
"Ghost guns" without serial numbers
Barrera is identified as the suspected person responsible for assembling so-called "ghost guns": parts manufactured with polymer frames printed in 3D that bear no serial number or official registration, making them difficult for authorities to trace.
Another detainee, Juan Carlos Montilla Feliz, was found in possession of a Colt M4 Carbine rifle, ammunition, magazines, balaclavas and tactical helmets, according to an inventory released by the police.
The authorities did not reveal the identities of the three remaining detainees, although they reported that they continue to search for Robert Vázquez La Paix and Starling Paniagua Montero, identified as suspected distributors of the weapons in the Dominican capital.
Seized material
In the course of the operations, the following were confiscated:
- Six rifles
- One Uzi submachine gun
- 26 magazines
- 466 cartridges of various calibres
- One 3D printer
- Five printed frames
- 33 weapon assembly kits
- Bulletproof vests, accessories and various tools
Investigation ongoing
The judicial case seeks to determine the scope of the organisation, how its production chain operated and what the final destination of the manufactured weapons was. The involvement of a foreign citizen and the technological method employed drew particular attention to the case.
The five detainees will be placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office for the corresponding judicial proceedings, the National Police indicated.
Source: Google News DO — Crime