Bullets seized during a police raid on an illegal Rabat factory were destined for different weapons including machine guns and pistols in Libya, Times of Malta has learnt. Sources said the 40,000 mostly homemade bullets were of various calibres with a value running into thousands of euros.
The discovery of the factory at Magru Gun Shop in Rabat followed police investigations into the illegal export of ammunition to Libya. Shop owner Michael Azzopardi, 53, and Yaacob Feraj, 31, a Libyan living in Tarxien, were charged on Monday with financing a criminal organisation, illegally storing explosives, manufacturing bullets and selling them to Libyan companies.
A third man, Mario Farrugia, 41, from Xagħra, was yesterday charged in connection with the case as police intensified their investigation.
Mr Farrugia, who owns Hobbies gun shop in Victoria, was charged with the possession of 70,000 bullets. The three pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail.
Sources in the weapons industry described the manufacture of so many bullets “as quite a feat” that must have taken much time and required a lot of space.
They said the casings and bullet heads were most probably imported separately and assembled in Malta.
Sources said the Rabat factory contained the necessary equipment to manufacture bullets in a three-step approach.
The primer, a component that creates heat when struck hard, is first introduced in the casing, followed by the right amount of gunpowder. The last step involves the crimping of the casing around the bullet head.
Although it is not uncommon for licensed firearms enthusiasts and target shooters to produce their own bullets, sources said it was “a time consuming” operation that required some knowledge.
The law allows licensed target shooters to keep a maximum of 5,000 rounds at home while shops can stock a maximum of 12,000 bullets at any one time.
The investigation, led by inspectors Michael Mallia and Keith Arnaud, is ongoing and the police are looking for suspects in North Africa in connection with the case.