Masked gang jailed after being caught with weapons
Police in Birmingham recovered a slam gun, live ammunition and knives.
A group of teens have been locked up after police recovered a slam gun, live ammunition and knives in Birmingham.
Officers seized the potentially lethal weapons after tracking a Ford Focus which failed to stop in Lozells on 21 June last year.
The occupants tried to flee but four teenagers were arrested and a search of the car and nearby area led to four machetes, the improvised firearm, shotgun cartridge and gun parts being found.
Rheese Dhoot, aged 19 from Saltley, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm and bladed article.
He was jailed for five years and six months at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (10 April).
Marko Catak, aged 19 from Hockley, admitted the same offences and was sentenced to five years.
Makaya Russell, aged 18 from Erdington, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years, suspended by 18 months, and 140 hours unpaid work.
Oliwer Gabis, aged 18 from Handsworth, was convicted of three counts of possession of a bladed article, which included two separate incidents, and making threats with a knife. He was locked up for two years and one month.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We're committed to taking dangerous weapons off the street as we work to keep our communities safe.
"We're running Operation Target in a defiant stand against serious crime. It brings together our efforts to tackle a range of crimes, from firearms to drug dealing and burglary to cyber-crime."