A 57-year-old man was arrested on Monday in Funchal, following a two-year investigation into the suspected possession of prohibited weapons.
The arrest was carried out by the Public Security Police (PSP), after detectives from the Funchal Police Division's Criminal Investigation Squad executed a search warrant at the man's home under the direction of the Public Prosecutor's Office (DIAP) in Funchal.
During the search, a range of weapons were seized, including a bow with nine arrows, an air rifle, a homemade concealed-blade weapon, an antique shotgun, a machete, two daggers, two knives, and a throwing star. Police also recovered magazines, accessories, and components associated with a G3 rifle, a magazine for a 9 mm pistol, ammunition reloading equipment, and numerous cartridge cases and ammunition components of various calibres, including .22, 12.7 × 99 mm, 40 mm, and 90 mm, along with a belt of linked ammunition and a 90 mm shell casing.
Additionally, an assortment of military equipment was seized, including helmets, magazine pouches, grenade pouches, canteens, bags, a military tent, a belt, an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) protective mask, an old military megaphone, and other military surplus items. A gas grenade that had previously been discharged was also recovered. The suspect appeared before a judge today for an initial judicial hearing, where coercive measures were expected to be determined.
