Boston Cracks Down on Illegal Gun Part Smuggling

In a major crackdown, authorities in Boston have taken control of several websites and cryptocurrency accounts linked to a scheme involving the illegal importation of gun parts from China.

Key Details

• Conversion Devices: The seized parts, known as machine gun conversion devices, are used to transform regular pistols into fully automatic weapons, which is against the law.
• Ongoing Investigation: The investigation, which has been ongoing for a couple of years, has led to the seizure of:
• Over 3,000 conversion devices
• Hundreds of firearms
• Silencers
• Thousands of rounds of ammunition
• Smuggling Method: These items were allegedly smuggled into the country hidden within air cargo shipments from China, bypassing U.S. Customs.

Websites and Cryptocurrency Involvement

• Illegal Sales: The websites involved in this scheme were found to be selling:
• Illegal parts
• Counterfeit goods
• Unauthorized Glock trademark parts
• Cryptocurrency Transactions: The vendors used cryptocurrency accounts to facilitate these illegal transactions.

Authorities' Actions

• Evidence-Based Seizures: Authorities stated they had enough evidence to seize:
• 360 internet domains
• Funds within the cryptocurrency wallets used in this scheme.
• Larger Effort: This operation is part of a larger effort to target and dismantle networks involved in the illegal importation and sale of these conversion devices.

Impact of the Operation

• Seizures: The operation has resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of illegal firearms and ammunition.
• Investigative Referrals: It has also led to numerous investigative referrals, indicating the widespread nature of this illegal activity.