GROZNY, March 26 (RIA Novosti) - A large arms cache has been found in the Republic of Chechnya in Russia's North Caucasus, the local interior ministry said Sunday.

The law enforcement agencies discovered the arms cache on the outskirts of the village of Mesedoi in the Vedeno district in the southeast of the troubled North Caucasus republic.

The cache contained a large amount of explosives, two mines, a self-made explosive device, a flame thrower, 16 82-mm artillery shells, 13 rounds for grenade launchers, nine grenades and 3,800 cartridges of various caliber.

The police destroyed the arms and explosives on the spot. A search operation has been launched to track down the cache's owners.