Deutsche Welle 2.26.2019
The international business of weapons sale and transfer is pervasive and goes unnoticed and unpunished in the United States. The German government, at least, shines a light on this evil business and tries to hold manufacturers accountable. See my recent Post (2.21.2019) on the weapons company Heckler & Koch.
German gunmaker Sig Sauer has been accused of illegally exporting 36,000 pistols to Colombia in violation of export regulations. Prosecutors have demanded the weapons manufacturer pays a €12-million ($14.8 million) fine.
Prosecutors said Sig Sauer manufactured at least 38,000 pistols in the company’s facility in the town of Eckernforde between 2009 and 2011. It then shipped the weapons to its US company in New Hampshire, which then completed the transaction with Colombia.
The accused face up to five years in prison if convicted and the prosecution is also demanding the company pay a €12-million fine.
The pistols ended up in the hands of Colombian police, a spokesman for the Kiel prosecutor said, after the men were charged in April.
https://www.dw.com/en/trial-of-german-gunmaker-sig-sauer-illegal-weapons-shipments-begins/a-47690000