The French authorities, with the assistance of Europol and the Federal Police of Switzerland (Fedpol), have dismantled a criminal network which allegedly trafficked counterfeit and processed firearms from Turkey to countries of the European Union.
The operation took place between 8 and 11 June 2026 and led to the arrest 10 suspects, While surveys were carried out on seven luxury residences in southern France.
The case began in June 2025, when authorities spotted two counterfeit pistols hidden in a luxury car traveling from Switzerland to France. The investigation subsequently revealed an organized network consisting mainly of Turkish nationals, led by a suspected Turkish-German descent.
The operations were carried out in the cities of Frezis, Cannes, Nice and Marseille. In addition to the ten arrests, the authorities seized assets of a total value exceeding 1.2m euros.
Among the confiscated are metallurgy and counterfeit weapons, three luxury cars, expensive watches, jewelry, branded clothing, large sums of money, forged documents, small amounts of drugs, mobile phones, computers, and about 30,000 euros in cash.
Researchers estimate that the circuit gained significant profits from supplying weapons to criminal groups in various European countries.
The alleged leader of the organization had been arrested in Slovakia and was published in Turkey in early 2026. However, the authorities consider that he continued to guide the network through partners operating in various European countries, despite being detained.