Suspected firearms conversion factory discovered in East Sussex

Man arrested after numerous hand guns and ammunition found in a house

Author: Mike DraperPublished 6th Feb 2022
Last updated 6th Feb 2022

An East Sussex man's been arrested after the discovery of a suspected criminal firearms conversion factory.

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers went to a property on Moor Lane in Westfield on Wednesday (2 Feb). There they recovered numerous weapons, including forward venting Zoraki hand guns, modified ammunition and firearms conversion paraphernalia from the house and various outbuildings at the same location.

Lethal weapons found at suspected firearms conversion factory in East Sussex

The 46 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Mark McCormack, Branch Commander at the NCA said:

“This is a significant outcome. I have no doubt that this was a firearms conversion factory, which could have been responsible for the modification of a significant number of firearms and ammunition into lethal weapons."

“We know there is a high demand for firearms in the criminal market place and firearms enable serious violence across many crime areas."

Machinery used to convert and modify the firearms

Anyone with information about illegally held firearms or ammunition should contact their local police on 101. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.