Yasir Khan has been sentenced to eight years for smuggling 72 firearms parts into the UK from Pakistan. The parts were concealed in a vintage car and discovered by the NCA during a routine search. Khan’s communications revealed further involvement with firearm suppliers, raising concerns about his activities and potential threats posed to public safety.
Yasir Khan, a 40-year-old man, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to smuggle 72 firearm parts into the United Kingdom from Pakistan. He pled guilty following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), which revealed that he attempted to transport 36 top slides and 36 barrels for 9mm Glock pistols concealed within a 1976 Datsun Sunny.
The hidden parts were strategically placed under the windscreen, behind the engine block, and within the fuel tank. This discovery was made during a search conducted on July 7, 2024, at London Gateway Port by NCA officials working in conjunction with Border Force. Following the search, Khan, who portrayed himself as a car dealer, was arrested on July 12 by the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit in Birmingham.
During the investigation, NCA officers uncovered voice notes on Khan’s mobile phone that revealed communication with a supplier in Pakistan involved in the manufacture of firearm components. The supplier had allegedly invited Khan to visit the factory during the summer of 2023, suggesting a deeper involvement in illegal arms trafficking.
Additionally, Khan is suspected of a similar smuggling attempt in November 2023. Evidence including mobile phone recordings indicated he was experiencing issues with ammunition jamming when test-firing those assembled firearms. Throughout 2023, Khan had allegedly purchased several deactivated firearms, which he reportedly had the capacity to convert back into operational weapons.
David Phillips, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA, emphasized the organization’s commitment to cooperating with law enforcement partners to combat the influx of illegal firearms into the UK. He noted, “The NCA and Border Force have prevented this huge array of component parts from entering the criminal marketplace and being used to produce lethal firearms for organised crime groups.”
Yasir Khan’s sentencing underscores the serious nature of firearm trafficking and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to thwart such criminal activities. The successful investigation highlighted the challenges faced in preventing illegal arms from penetrating the UK market and marked a significant victory for the NCA and Border Force in safeguarding the public from potential violence associated with organized crime.
Original Source: www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
