HOHHOT, Nov. 28 -- Police in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have busted a large online gun selling ring, seizing 1,180 guns, some 1,300 parts and more than 6 million bullets, local public security bureau said on Saturday.

Police found items believed to be gun components in a delivery package in April when inspecting a local courier service, according to Lyu Ming, a police officer of Hulun Buir City.

After seven months of investigation, officers traced the packages to five suspects in central China's Hunan Province and raided a house in Shaodong County, Shaoyang City, used to sell guns.

A suspect, identified as Liu, confessed that they have been in the online gun selling business since 2012, using a rented server in the United States. They posted advertisements online and recruited sales agents nationwide.

Another 13 people involved in the business were also detained.

The group has made illegal profits over 4 million yuan (about 625,000 U.S.dollars) since 2012, according to Lyu.

Manufacturing and sale of guns is strictly regulated in China. Ordinary individuals are not allowed to own guns and can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison if convicted of illegally possessing one.