Slovak Police Seize Illegal Firearms, Cash and Hunting Trophies in Hrachovište Operation

The Slovak Police’s environmental crime department carried out a two‑day operation (26‑27 July 2026) in the village of Hrachovište, Nové Mesto nad Váhom district, targeting illegal poaching and unauthorized firearms. Officers seized seven long‑barrel guns, at least two held illegally, silencers, ammunition, a camera trap, mobile devices, USB drives, €47,000 in cash, frozen wild‑game meat and deer trophies, antlers and skulls.

Two men aged 25 and 49 were arrested for the poaching of a deer, and a 25‑year‑old was charged with illegal arms possession and trafficking. All three were released pending further proceedings. Prosecutors could impose up to eight years imprisonment for the arms offences and up to three years for poaching. Police warned that unlicensed hunting harms hunting associations and causes significant ecological damage.