Four men who planned to sell guns and ammunition kept in Canning Town flat jailed

One of the recovered guns (Image: Archant)

The group were arrested following a search warrant at a flat in Ferrier Point, where officers found 11 Makarov-type self-loading pistols with silencers and a Russian AKS-74U assault rifle, as well as 107 handgun cartridges and 30 rifle cartridges.

Analysis of telephone communications revealed that Ahmed Mudhir, of Star Lane, Canning Town, was acting as the broker to sell the weapons and ammunition.

Mindaugas Vasauskas, Ahmed Adam and James Radford were also identified as being involved in the prospective sale of the guns.

Mudhir, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell/transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to acquire ammunition, with the others being found guilty of the same offences after a six week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

One of the recovered guns (Image: Archant)

They were all jailed at the same court today.

Mudhir was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment, while Vasuaskas, 26, of Brookwood Road, Hounslow, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.

Adam, 23, of Warwall, Beckton, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and Radford, 29, of Albert Walk, North Woolwich, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Det Insp Danny Young, of the Met’s Trident team, said: “As a result of the proactive work of Trident officers, 12 firearms have been taken off the streets of London.

“We will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in the buying and selling of these deadly weapons and ensure they are brought to justice.

“The lengthy custodial sentences handed to the defendants should act as a warning to anyone involved in the trade of firearms.”

Three other defendents were found not guilty of the charges.