POLICE have seized grenade launchers and several rifles after raiding a military enthusiast's house.
Officers discovered the deadly arsenal when they swooped on the 40-year-old man's terrace house in Chatsworth Terrace, Darlington, on Wednesday.
Durham Police said the arsenal, which included grenade launchers, rifles and ammunition, would now be closely examined by firearms experts.
The force was tipped off by the Army, which had been investigating the sale of suspected stolen items on the internet.
The unnamed man, who lives alone, has had an interest in military equipment for several years. He was arrested and has since been released on bail.
Detective Constable Angela Makepeace, of Darlington CID, said: "The weapons are being transferred to the police armoury in Durham where they will be examined in detail.
There are 16 weapons in total, including grenade launchers, an SA80 rifle, a replica snipers rifle, as well as a wide range of component parts and a wide range of ammunition."
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