Dozens of antique guns seized in Hockessin
Officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized numerous, mostly antique weapons from two Hockessin men earlier this year, according to a federal disclosure published this week.
The Jan. 5 seizure of at least 46 firearms, valued at over $11,000, included bolt-action rifles and Cold War-era pistols and revolvers, such as the Italian-made Bonifacio Echeverria Super Pistol.
ATF spokesman Dave Cheplak could not provide details about the case, but he said it arose out of an "administrative" issue.
No federal charges have been brought against the two Hockessin men who owned the weapons.
The civil asset forfeiture program gives federal agents – and partnering local police officers – the ability to seize assets from individuals who have not been convicted or, in many cases, charged with a crime. United States Department of Justice officials say it is an integral tool for disrupting criminal organizations.
A separate seizure of rifle scopes occurred in October at the Port of Wilmington by Customs and Border Protection officers, according to a document published this month. One of those items, an ATN THOR 640, is a thermal scope that uses heat to track a target. It is valued at $7,200.
Contact Karl Baker at kbaker@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2329. Follow him on Twitter @kbaker6.
STORY: $ 186,000 in assets seized from Kent County businessman