Alexandria Men Attempt To Smuggle Guns Abroad: Prosecutors

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Two Alexandria men were arrested Tuesday for attempting to send 100 disassembled guns to the Russian republic of Chechnya, federal prosecutors say. Tengiz Sydykov, 28, and Eldar Rezvanov, 27, who are citizens of Kyrgyzstan and live in Alexandria, were charged with international trafficking in firearms, smuggling and other charges.

They bought guns, gun parts, and gun accessories such as Glock and AK47 magazines from a number of Northern Virginia firearms dealers, including Alexandria, Falls Church, Lorton and Fredericksburg, as well as others across the U.S. Court documents indicate Sydykov is a green card holder and could legally purchase guns.

Packages labeled "household goods" and "plastic sheets" to conceal the true contents were attempted to be sent through U.S. Postal Service and on to Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The men received wire payments from foreign bank accounts in Chechnya, a self-governing state under Russia's control.

The men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

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