Honduras police seize $50,000 gold-plated AK-47 rifle
- Published
The authorities in Honduras have seized a gold-plated, jewel-encrusted AK-47 assault rifle, complete with two silver magazines.
The gun, estimated to be worth more than $50,000 (£30,000), is believed to belong to drug traffickers.
Following a tip-off, police also found a number of weapons, along with other military equipment and passports.
Two security guards were detained during the raid at a ranch 300km (186 miles) from the capital, Tegucigalpa.
Honduran authorities said the gold-plated rifle had an engraving associated with the Malverde drug gang - which is allegedly connected to Mexico's Zetas cartel.
"It's an exclusive design and a fine carving," said police chief Leonel Sauceda.
More than 30 other weapons were found, including assault rifles, grenade launchers and grenades, night-vision kits, bayonets and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Police also found bullet-proof vests and 11 cars and two car-removal lorries.
Honduras has the highest homicide rate in the world, according to a UN ranking, with nearly 92 killings per 100,000 habitants in 2011.
- Published20 October 2011