Generally, 3D printing is used to create figures, decorative elements, accessories or tools that can be useful or colorful. However, in Spain someone was using their knowledge to print weapons!
Through a press release, the Spanish Police confirmed the arrest of a subject in the La Coruña region, who was in the middle of manufacturing a 3D printed submachine gun, as he already had many of its parts ready, in addition to several printers and documentation for this type of manufacture.
🚩 Intervened an AR9 submachine gun assembled with 3D printed parts
✅ Arrested a person in #ACoruña who had a clandestine arms printing workshop at his home
✅ Located three 3D printers and blueprints for the development of weapons #SomosTuPolicia pic.twitter.com/IIdLHIwaVq
— National Police (@policia) August 11, 2022
This arrest was carried out thanks to the investigation of the Spanish Cyber Police, who detected a group on social networks that was dedicated to talking about the hybrid manufacture of weapons, which consists of an amalgam of 3D printed parts and metal parts that resist the impact of detonations. After carrying out their work, it was found that there was a particular user who lived in La Coruña, who used to offer advice and documentation to those interested.
Eventually, the local police managed to find the location of the subject’s home, and after a couple of searches, a clandestine 3D weapons manufacturing workshop was found. In the workshop, the parts of the submachine gun, such as the frame and the slide, were found already prepared and ready for assembly. In addition, several rolls of fiber (which is used for printing), 3 printing machines, 2 computers, blueprints and weapon crafting documentation, a salvo crossbow, a modified crossbow, many arrows, two telescopic sights, a katana and various airsoft weapons, among other things, were also found. The man was arrested and taken into custody of the authorities.
This is not the first time that Spain has found a hybrid weapons manufacturer, because in 2020 a similar case was discovered, which was also arrested in time in something called Operation Odilo. After this growing threat, this past May the 1° was held. International congress on 3D printed firearms in the Netherlands.
