Two very different types of gun dealer have been exposed in the US this week. Monzer Al-Kassar, a Syrian arms broker, was sentenced to 30 years for agreeing to arrange arms transfers to a Colombian armed group. The same week saw the start of the trial of George Iknadosian, owner of the X-Caliber Guns store in Arizona, for knowingly providing hundred of weapons to Mexican organised crime.

Al-Kassar, known as the 'Prince of Marbella' for his glitzy lifestyle in Spain, was sentenced on 25 February for conspiracy to sell $8 million worth of missiles, assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades to the FARC armed group in Colombia. He was arrested in Spain in 2007 following an undercover operation by US agents. Al-Kassar had already stood trial in Spain in 1995 on charges of supplying assault rifles used by Palestinian armed groups in the hijacking of an Italian cruise ship, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.

IANSA Board member Daniel Luz from Spain said: "This notorious arms dealer is finally behind bars, which will at least prevent him from causing further suffering. Al-Kassar has been living in Spain arranging arms deals for many years. It is unfortunate that it required US intervention to disrupt his deadly arms network."

Iknadosian is on trial in Arizona for selling hundreds of military-style assault weapons to Mexican smugglers. Rifles used to kill 8 Mexican enforcement agents last May were traced back to Iknadosian’s store, and led the police to arrest him. Almost 8000 guns used in crimes in Mexico in 2008 have been traced to US gun sales, according to the US authorities. They also estimate 95% of guns used in Mexican crime originate in the US, from the 'ant trade' of smuggling guns across the border in small quantities. Military-style assault rifles can be purchased legally in Arizona, but are banned in Mexico.