Officers discover banned weapons during major check at the border
Published: Thursday, Jul 25th 2024, 15:40
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During an unprecedented large-scale check in the Swiss-French border region three days before the opening of the Olympic Games, officials seized prohibited weapons and ammunition, among other things. 900 people and 500 vehicles were checked.
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) announced on Thursday that numerous violations of weapons, drugs, waste and tobacco import laws were recorded during border controls with France from Basel to Valais on Wednesday night.
A "handful" of prohibited weapons and ammunition were seized, a spokeswoman for the authorities told the Keystone-SDA news agency on request. The officers also found at least one person who was wanted for arrest. She did not give any details.
During the night, numerous customs officers, gendarmes and border police were on the move along the 570-kilometre border between the two countries. The aim was to combat cross-border crime and customs fraud.
The Federal Council announced at the end of May that border controls would be tightened over the summer. The reason for this is the European Football Championships in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris, or rather an increased threat of terrorism in connection with these events. The terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) called for attacks.
More checks increase the likelihood that border guards could seize weapons, prohibited items or explosives, the state government explained. The increased controls are to remain in place until the beginning of September.
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