Gun-Makers Caught By CCTV

A duo responsible for producing deadly weapons, including some that wouldn't look out of place in a James Bond film, have been jailed for a total of 23 years.

Paul Coke, 40, of Mayesbrook Rd, Ilford, Essex was sentenced to 14 years and Fatmir Kadena, 26, of 11 Flack Court, E10 was sentenced to nine years having been found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday 6 August of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to enable others to endanger life.

The convictions relate to their involvement in the running of a homemade 'gun factory' in east London, where they produced weapons which included two firearms disguised as a pen and key-ring.

The pair worked out of two lock-ups in Leyton, which they passed off as a makeshift nightclub and car repairs garage. Inside the first they had created an effective operation for converting imitation and blank-firing handguns into live firearms - which they could have then sold on for up to £500 - £1000.

In an ironic twist CCTV cameras set up by the pair to monitor any unwanted guests ultimately assisted with the pair's incrimination - with footage showing Coke concealing what officers believe to be a firearm within a pool table. In subsequent footage he was seen to retrieve the item.

The court results follow a pro-active and intelligence-led operation by officers from the Trident. In May last year, detectives raided the premises at 147 Tilbury Road, E10, which were located beneath a railway arch and secured by a re-enforced steel door.

They discovered the venue awash with firearms and various firearm parts, as well as evidence of the modification or conversion of air weapons into fully functional firearms and modified ammunition.

Nine guns were recovered in total, including a Browning self-loading pistol, a Kimar Model 85 self-loading pistol, a "British Bulldog" brand revolver, an "American Double Action" brand revolver, and an air pistol that had the appearance of a handgun.

Inside an electricity box officers discovered modified and converted 8mm ammunition. Firearm parts and further ammunition were found inside drawers and a cupboard; and a 5,000-volt stun gun was recovered from the top drawer of a filing cabinet.

The 'pen gun' was located inside a cardigan pocket; the 'key-ring gun' had been hidden on a ceiling beam. The everyday objects, which had been modified from their original form, were both lethal-barrelled weapons capable of firing ammunition.

Two Olympic '38 starting pistols in the process of being converted were also discovered in the loft area.

Inquiries led officers to a second premises along the road at 143 Tilbury Road where a silencer and further ammunition were recovered from inside the engine compartment of a Vauxhall Calibra.

The self-loading pistols and additional ammunition were found in a black bag within a wall cavity at the location.

Officers estimate the pair had been running the operation for at least three months and whilst there was no evidence that they had been selling the items from the location, it is believed likely that they had already profited from their activity.

Coke was arrested at the scene and Kadena was subsequently linked to the premises and later arrested on 3 December 2009.

(BMcC/GK)