Birmingham man jailed for making firearms and ammunition
They were supplied between Birmingham and London
A man from Birmingham, involved in the production and supply of improvised firearms has been sent to prison.
Kemarn Riley, of Ward End, Birmingham was sentenced to 12 years and nine months for the manufacture of a weapon and ammunition at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday (2 May). Riley also received five years each for two counts of possession of a firearm. His sentences will run concurrently.
West Midlands Police began an investigation into the 24-year-old's activities in January last year.
Officers attended an address in Headingley Road, Handsworth, in connection with an earlier report of criminal damage. When searching the property they discovered a handgun – later identified as a converted blank firing pistol – hidden behind a shoulder bag in the rear garden.
The shoulder bag contained two live shotgun shells, and another bag found in the garden contained two metal pipes, which officers suspected could be combined to make a simple, improvised weapon, commonly referred to as a ‘slam gun’. A slam gun consists of a pipe that can contain a shotgun shell, which when another pipe is inserted, discharges through a sliding and slamming motion by the user.
The weapons, ammunition and bags were seized from the property for analysis and, following testing, were forensically linked to Riley, who was living at the address at the time.
In February, a further slam gun was recovered from a vehicle in Handsworth. Riley was not present when the weapon was seized but when analysed it was again traced back to him, leading us to believe that he was involved in supplying as well as making these devices.
Riley was arrested in February at his home address on Asquith Avenue in Ward End.
During a search of his room while making the arrest, a bag containing imitation firearms, shotgun cartridges and metal pipes, similar to the ones discovered earlier used to make slam guns were recovered. Other items including his phone were also seized.
An examination of Riley’s phone uncovered messages, images and searches that suggested he was involved in the sale of firearms. When questioned in custody, Riley admitted to purchasing pipes for an associate but claimed to have no knowledge of their intended use.
Investigations Officer PC Owen Zambra from our Major Crime Unit said: “We built a strong case against Kemarn Riley and are pleased with this result. The message is clear that we won’t tolerate anyone profiting from the production and supply of illegal firearms.
“These weapons can maim and kill, and they’re supplied to criminals who use them to intimidate and elicit fear in others. We’re working hard to take these weapons off our streets and put those involved in trading them like Riley behind bars.”