CAIRO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Armed Forces said Tuesday they had foiled an attempt by a transnational organized crime network to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Egypt through the southern border.
Army spokesman Ahmed Etman said the operation followed intelligence that the network planned to smuggle the weapons for sale in Egyptian governorates and to supply criminal groups involved in illegal gold mining.
The operation, carried out in the desert hinterland of Aswan Governorate, resulted in the seizure of 24 firearms, 49,211 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 14 RPG warheads and 28 RPG propellant charges, as well as identification documents belonging to several foreign nationals, the spokesman said.
The armed forces are pursuing the remaining members of the network for arrest and legal action, he added. ■