The illegal machinations were exposed through a tip-off from the German authorities, who were suspected of illegal arms trafficking in the course of surveys. In Vorarlberg Four house searches were carried out, seven in Germany. Thereby were in the Vorarlberger Gun store seized ten handguns, the origin of which was not clearly proven. A blank pistol that had been converted into a functional firearm was also confiscated. In Germany, the police also came across weapons and ammunition, including three pistols, a revolver and a single shotgun.