Tue Feb 18 05:11:17 UTC 2025: ## Kolkata Arms Dealer Employees Arrested in Illegal Weapons Ring Bust
**Kolkata, West Bengal, February 18, 2025** – Two employees of N.C. Daw and Company, a historic Kolkata arms dealer established in 1835, have been arrested for allegedly siphoning weapons and ammunition from the shop and selling them illegally to out-of-state gangs. The arrests, made by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF), mark a significant breakthrough in an ongoing investigation into a major illegal arms supply network operating within the state.
The arrested individuals, Jayanta Dutta and Santanu Sarkar, were apprehended following the interrogation of four other suspects. Recovered from the suspects were 190 7.65mm live cartridges, nine 12-bore cartridges, and a double-barrelled gun. Police allege the employees were profiting handsomely from the illegal sales.
The STF is now questioning other N.C. Daw and Company employees and intends to interview the shop owners. The investigation was spurred by recent shootouts across West Bengal, where many of the cartridges used were traced back to sources within the state, leading to suspicion about the involvement of local arms dealers.
While police haven’t explicitly linked the seized weapons to specific recent incidents, the arrests have raised concerns about security protocols at licensed arms dealers. West Bengal has experienced a recent surge in violent incidents, including fatal shootings of ruling party leaders in Malda district. The investigation continues to determine the full extent of the illegal arms trafficking operation and its potential connection to these violent events.
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