Two men jailed for running huge firearms operation
Police found 70 guns hidden in a suitcase in Portsmouth
Two men have been jailed for a combined total of 18 years after police discovered a massive operation to sell and illegally modify guns in Hampshire.
Police from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). found 70 firearms and over 600 rounds of ammunition hidden in a number of suitcases at a house in Westerham Close in Cosham on February 22nd.
Tests carried out on some revealed they were blank firearms which had been converted into viable prohibited firearms.
The ammunition had also been converted from blank rounds.
In addition, officers discovered approximately ÂŁ7,000 worth of heroin in a storage cupboard.
Officers also seized ammunition in various stages of conversion along with tools and equipment used to convert ammunition and firearms, from an industrial unit in Mays Yard industrial estate in Horndean.
37-year-old Perry Binns (right in picture), of Westerham Close, and 46-year-old Steve Jones of Fratton Road in Portsmouth were both charged following the raids.
At Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday (June 7th), Binns was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell or transfer firearms, conspiracy to sellor transfer ammunition and possession with intent to supply heroin.
46-year-old Steve Jones. of Fratton Road in Portsmouth, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars after admitting to conspiracy to sell or transfer firearms, conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition, manufacturing firearms and manufacturing ammunition.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Clair Trueman, of SEROCU, said:
"Today Binns and Jones have received significant custodial sentences for their role in converting firearms.
"As a result of our investigation we have prevented potentially deadly weapons from being used in our communities to inflict fear and harm.
"I hope this case serves as an example of the relentless pursuit by SEROCU to bring offenders to justice and that the sentences reflect the severity of the crimes committed."