Weapons sent to Ukraine could end up in criminal hands, says Interpol chief

Weapons being sent to Ukraine to help defend its army against the Russian invasion could end up in the hands of criminals, the head of Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) said.

Jürgen Stock said that the international market could be flooded with weapons once the conflict ends.

“Once the weapons are silenced , the weapons will come illegally. We know this from many other theaters of conflict. The criminals even now, as we speak, are targeting them,” he said.

“Criminal groups try to exploit these chaotic situations and the availability of weapons, including those used by the military and even heavy weapons,” he added.

“These will be available on the criminal market and will create a challenge. No country or region can deal with it in isolation because these groups operate globally.”

He added: “We can expect an influx of weapons into Europe and beyond. We should be alarmed and we have to expect that these weapons will be trafficked not only to neighboring countries but to other continents”.

Stock urged Interpol members to use the organization’s database to “track and trace” the weapons.

“We are in contact with member countries to encourage them to use these tools. Criminals are interested in all kinds of weapons…basically any weapon that can be carried can be used for criminal purposes,” he said.

He added: “No country in our region can face it in isolation because the criminals I am talking about are operating globally.”

kyiv is expected to receive more Western arms deliveries in the coming days, as Zelensky’s forces seek to stop the Russian advance in Donbas.

Britain said Thursday that it will send sophisticated medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine. The pledge came a day after the United States and Germany said they would equip the beleaguered nation with advanced weapons to shoot down planes and destroy artillery.

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