Man Sentenced for Smuggling Firearm Parts from Pakistan

Yasir Khan, 40, was sentenced to eight years in prison for smuggling 72 firearm parts from Pakistan, hidden in a vintage Datsun car. The National Crime Agency discovered the parts during a port inspection, leading to Khan’s arrest. Evidence revealed previous attempts to import additional firearms, emphasizing ongoing challenges in combatting firearms trafficking.

A 40-year-old man, Yasir Khan, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to smuggle 72 firearms parts from Pakistan to the United Kingdom. The investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that Khan hid 36 top slides and 36 barrels for 9mm Glock self-loading pistols within a 1976 Datsun Sunny, utilizing concealed spaces under the windscreen, behind the engine block, and within the fuel tank.

The smuggled parts were discovered on July 7, 2024, by NCA officers in collaboration with Border Force during a search at London Gateway Port. Following this discovery, Khan was arrested on July 12, 2024, in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, where he claimed to be a car dealer. The court proceedings culminated in his sentencing after he confessed to the smuggling charges.

Further investigation unearthed voice recordings on Khan’s phone that indicated communication with a firearms component supplier in Pakistan, who had extended an invitation to observe the manufacturing facility. Additionally, evidence pointed to Khan’s involvement in another similar importation attempt in November 2023. Mobile recordings depicted him encountering issues with ammunition jams in the firearms he attempted to construct and test.

Khan also purchased various deactivated firearms throughout 2023, which he allegedly converted back into operational weapons. David Phillips, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, emphasized the importance of preventing illegal firearms from entering the UK. He stated the collaboration between the NCA and Border Force was crucial in intercepting these components before they could be exploited by organized crime groups.

The case of Yasir Khan serves as a pivotal reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat firearms smuggling in the United Kingdom. Through thorough investigation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies, a significant quantity of firearm components was intercepted, thereby preventing potential risks posed by organized crime. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in maintaining public safety and the challenges associated with illegal firearms trafficking.

Original Source: www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk