Albanian police have uncovered a suspected weapons cache believed to have been used to supply criminal groups during a police operation in the western district of Durrës, authorities said on Sunday.

The operation, codenamed "Baza" ("Base"), was carried out in the village of Manzë by local police officers in cooperation with the Durrës Police Directorate, following intelligence gathered through operational investigations.

A 20-year-old man, identified only by his initials E.P., was arrested at the scene after officers searched his home and allegedly discovered a large arsenal of firearms and ammunition.

Police said they seized four pistols, one AK-47-style assault rifle (Model 56 Kalashnikov), one shotgun, six magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition of various calibers, an Italian vehicle license plate, and a mobile phone.

Authorities believe the cache served as a supply point for criminal groups operating in the country.

The confiscated weapons will undergo forensic examination at Albania's Institute of Scientific Police to determine whether they were used in previous criminal incidents.

Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal weapons network.

The case has been referred to the Prosecutor's Office in Durrës, where the suspect faces charges related to the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and hunting weapons, according to an official police statement.