CAIRO: An Egyptian newspaper reported last week that rocket propelled grenade launchers belonging to two alleged weapons dealers have been confiscated by the Public Administration for Drug Control (PADC). Daily youm7.com reported that the RPGs were secured in 6th of October city and the suspects have confessed to trading in weapons in order to maintain their drug operations. According to the report, both suspects have previously been convicted of drug and weapons-related crimes in the past. One had been convicted in over 40 cases, in absentia. According to the investigation, the suspects escaped from a prison during the security chaos Egypt experienced during the January 25 Revolution. Police officers in the PADC were investigating on suspicions of drug trafficking, but found the suspects in possession of RPGs instead. The police arrested the suspects at a checkpoint in el-Sheikh Zayed neighborhood. Worries are growing in Egypt that citizens are arming themselves and the sales of guns have risen dramatically in recent months. BM
