Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh joined the city’s police chief, Onondaga County district attorney and other investigators to announce indictments of multiple people accused of being involved with an alleged gun-trafficking operation.

Those working on the case said it started in 2021.

ATF Syracuse requested information on a Georgia purchaser who had ties to Syracuse.

“The investigation revealed that the purchaser bought over 52 handguns from May 21, 2021 to Sept. 2, 2021, from Sept. 28, 2021 to Feb. 26, 2023. Sixteen of these handguns showed up in Syracuse and have been recovered in Syracuse," said Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile.

Cecile said 32-year-old Julius Anderson and 35-year-old Veronica Williams, both of Syracuse, were indicted. He said a third defendant is still under indictment in Georgia.

Together, all three face a combined 150 felony weapons charges.

Investigators said the 16 handguns that were recovered in Syracuse had been found because of various reasons. One was used in a homicide-suicide and other shootings, and others were reportedly taken from documented gang members.

Investigators believe more could be out there as the 16 were part of 52 guns legally purchased in Georgia.

“I understand the fervency of people's Second Amendment rights, their desire for self-protection. But if someone can explain to me why an individual in Macon, Georgia, needs 50 different handguns, I’d be more than happy to listen to you," said Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick said the person who legally purchased the guns lives in Georgia, but used to reside in Syracuse. The two defendants based in Syracuse had bail set at “essentially one million dollars,” Fitzpatrick said.