JERUSALEM (VINnews)  Israeli soldiers and Border Police officers foiled an overnight attempt to smuggle 26 handguns and ammunition across the eastern border, authorities announced Thursday.

Acting on information from field observers, IDF troops and Judea and Samaria District Border Police conducted searches near the border Wednesday night and located a bag containing the weapons and munitions, the joint announcement said.

The seized handguns were transferred to the Judea and Samaria District Police for further processing and investigation.

Israeli security forces maintain a heightened presence along the eastern border to prevent smuggling and protect Israeli civilians, the statement added.

No arrests were mentioned in the announcement.