Dark Web Gun Importer Convicted Following US Seizure

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 10:27

A man from the West Midlands has been jailed for buying gun parts on the dark web, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency and the US Department of Homeland Security.

It began after US customs officers examined a parcel that had been posted from Michigan. The package, addressed to Moynul Haque in Smethwick was declared as an antique radio set, but hidden inside they found a pistol slide, barrel and recoil spring for a Glock 9mm handgun.

The case was referred to officers from the National Crime Agency’s Birmingham border investigation team, who executed a warrant at Haque’s home address in Brasshouse Lane. They seized small packages of amphetamine and a number of electronic devices, including a laptop.

NCA officers, with the assistance of the West Midlands Police Cyber Crime Unit, found evidence that the 21-year-old had used the dark web to source the gun parts, paid for using Bitcoins worth around £900, and had attempted to check on the status of the parcel sent from the States.

Haque pleaded guilty to the importation of firearms and possession of class B drugs, and was sentenced to 10 months in prison by a judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Dawn Cartwright, head of the NCA’s Birmingham border investigation team, said:

“This investigation relied on the co-operation of our law enforcement partners here in the UK and in the United States.

“Together we have successfully prevented a potentially lethal weapon making it onto the streets of the West Midlands.”

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