WUHAN, Dec. 23 -- Police in central China's Hubei Province have uncovered an organized firearm gang, which sold guns online, the local police announced Wednesday.

Shiyan City Police have detained 24 suspects for allegedly manufacturing, selling and possessing guns without a license.

In addition, 23 guns, 70 rifle bullets, 135 hunting gun bullets, 10,000 buckshots and 1,000 pieces of gun-manufacturing components were also seized.

The prime culprit, identified only by the surname Feng, was a gun-enthusiastic welder who assembled hunting guns with components he bought online.

Another suspect, known only as Huang, is alleged to have sold guns online from shops in the guise of a bathroom store.

The manufacture and sale of guns is banned in China, and the public are not allowed to own guns. A person can face up to seven years in prison if found guilty of owning a gun.