Two of the Queen’s Guard were in custody last night after being arrested by detectives on suspicion of plotting to steal bullets.
The two non-commissioned officers were seized by Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad in dawn raids at residential addresses close to Windsor Castle.
They were held as part of a pro-active investigation which was described by one source as “significant”.
The men, one in his 30s and one in his 40s, were held on suspicion of possession of ammo and conspiracy to steal.
The Royal Military Police and Ministry of Defence Police supported the arrests.
Military sources said police and military commanders have become deeply concerned some soldiers in Windsor are mixing with county lines criminals who are selling them drugs.
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It is not known if this is a line of inquiry in relation to this investigation.
The bullets are believed to be 9mm ammunition for handguns which are popular on the criminal market. Both suspects are at a nearby police station.
The MoD said: “We can confirm that two soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.
“We are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.”
All non-commissioned officers have access to ammunition on firing ranges where thousands of rounds are fired every day.
In July British soldier Ralstan Pusey, 31, was jailed for 15 months for passing on military-issue bullets.
He was discharged from the Army after he was traced to 97 rounds of 9mm parabellum ammo taken from the British military.
Police found the bullets with a loaded handgun during a stop in Luton, Beds, in November 2016.
Detectives traced the bullets back to Pusey who was serving as a lance corporal with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.
The bullets were found in two containers, one was an iPhone box.
Pusey, of Norfolk, was arrested in April 2017 and denied handling, stealing, passing on or having any knowledge of the bullets.
Detectives found the rounds were from a batch made for the military in July 2010.
It was believed Pusey obtained the bullets while stationed in Germany, having taken part in firing range exercises.
He was found guilty of possession of prohibited ammunition following a trial at Kingston crown court and found not guilty of theft.
The Army uses many types of 9mm pistols. The most common of these is the Glock.
