Spanish Police Arrest Russian Woman Carrying 'Pen Guns'

3 June 2004 -- Spanish police have arrested a Russian woman carrying 38 "pen guns" capable of firing .22 caliber bullets.

The woman told police she is part of a Russian-Kosovar gun-smuggling ring. The silver weapons -- displayed by police today -- look like normal pens.

A police spokeswoman said the weapons are illegal and the woman was arrested on suspicion of arms trafficking. The Interior Ministry said today that police specializing in criminal gangs from the former Soviet bloc had been following suspects for months before arresting the woman on 1 June.

The woman was also carrying 99 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.

(Reuters)