The Central Operational Unit of the Civil Guard (UCO) found an “arsenal” of weapons in the different searches it carried out in the homes of the former advisor to the Minister of Transport, Koldo García; of the commission agent of the “Koldo case”, the businessman Victor de Aldama; or one of its partners Rogelio Pujalte.
Specifically, in the house that Víctor de Aldama has in the municipality of San Sebastián de los Reyes, it was found a 44mm “Tiger” brand repeating carbine for which the businessman did not have the mandatory weapons permit. In fact, the agents showed that he did not have the documentation that “legally protects his possession, including the corresponding ownership guide.”
Within the framework of the 17 entries and searches ordered by the magistrate, Ismael Moreno, who is investigating the scheme of collecting illegal commissions in the allocation of masks, one of Aldama’s partners, Rogelio Pujalte, was found. an electric personal defense gun, known as a Taser, and an extendable baton. Two weapons that are in the group of “prohibited” in our country by virtue of Royal Decree 137/1993, of January 29.
Up to nine weapons were seized from Koldo García in the Alicante municipality of Polop de la Marina: they included three shotguns, a Star pistol, as well as several rifles, among which there was one Browning model, others of “winchester” caliber, another “Steyr mannlicher”, a “Ceska zbrojvka”, one “Tiger” and a last one of unidentified brand. They were all registered in his name.
What will the Civil Guard do with this “arsenal”?
As explained to LA RAZÓN by the Central Weapons Intervention Unit of the Civil Guard, when a carbine, an extendable defense or a taser is seized, the procedure varies depending on its nature and the legality of its possession. “Depending on the type of weapon, it is deposited in police facilities, in the case of the Civil Guard in the Interventions of Weapons and Explosives, where they remain guarded in secure facilities.”
To carry out the investigation, first “Their origin and registration are analyzed and whether they comply with the regulations is evaluated. For firearms, for example, the serial number and whether the owner has a license must be verified.. However, both the extendable baton and the Taser would be among the so-called weapons “prohibited for private use” so in the investigation both are considered “illegal” from the beginning.
The “prohibited weapons”, emphasizes the Civil Guard, “They are always removed, kept as evidence and later destroyed. In these cases, its return is never contemplated.” Yes indeed, will have to analyze the origin of that Taser and the extendable baton for sFind out how they got to the businessman and his partner. And in this traceability, the weapon and its characteristics are first recorded, then investigations are carried out to check its legality and possible relationship with crimes and finally the destruction or custody process is carried out – if it is linked to an investigation.
In the case of the carbine, the weapon would be documented and after checking the serial numbers, brand, category and etc., its legality, ownership and traceability would be verified in the National Arms Registry (RNA).
The former advisor of José Luis Ábalos He had up to nine weapons in his home which motivated that on the day of its registration, the Security Forces and Bodies, after a study prior, they will act in accordance with the protocol that exists for the detention of a person that it is known that he has weapons, since, no matter how much good will there is on the other side, the real use of those weapons is unknown, whether or not they have ammunition, the intentions of the person who is going to be arrested or of those who are find at that address.
Koldo Garcia had firearms, so in these cases the initial procedure would be to register each weapon with its serial number at police stations, “its origin and legality would be verified.” If the owner did not have a license to have them, the weapon would be considered “illegal” so that “it would be transferred to his intervention and custody as an object of conviction.” If the weapon is legal and the owner meets the requirements of the current Weapons Regulations, “it could be returned.” to its owner once the judicial procedure has been completed.
In any case, its origin will always be investigated. The judge or the competent authority will be the one who finally determines your fate. “If the crime is considered an indicator of risk for public safety, the revocation of the license is proposed, and the weapon is deposited in the Intervention of Weapons and Explosives until the resolution of the revocation. Once the maximum period of one year has elapsed, the owner can sell or assign it. Otherwise, it will be destroyed,” they explain.
In all cases, the origin of the weapon is investigated to determine if it is legal or illegal. examining how it was acquired and identifying possible unauthorized intermediaries or points of sale. Subsequently, Possible links are analyzed that allow us to locate the exact origin of its distribution. In cases with international implications, we collaborate with international organizations such as Interpol or Europol to trace their origin and dismantle trafficking networks, a common process that is done with all seized weapons, the Unit explains.
The chain of custody is very exhaustive. Once seized, The weapon is documented through a chain of custody sheet, where all the stages and situations it goes through are recorded, including the agent who guarded it.. Subsequently, the weapon is transferred and deposited in the Intervention of Weapons and Explosives, where it remains until it is given the legal status established by the corresponding regulations.
Auction or destruction?
In the past, some of the weapons that were seized were auctioned However, this practice is no longer done. “Currently they are destroyed for security reasons; they could only be put up for auction if they have historical value.”
When weapons are melted down, protocols are followed to ensure safety. The process is generally carried out in specialized foundry plants or authorized companies that have the necessary technologies and authorizations to proceed with the foundry of weapons. “The Civil Guard is always present to supervise the process and guarantee that it is carried out correctly and in accordance with regulations. After the process, a record of the destruction of the weapons is drawn up,” they explain. And “thanks to the control measures , the risk of weapons reaching the black market is zero.”a record is drawn up to attest to its complete destruction”.