Monday 28 December 2009

Police Search Dog Sniffs Out Guns


‘Taxi’ the police sniffer dog sent a woman underworld armourer on as one-way journey to a prison cell after leading cops to illegal guns and ammo stashed in her ‘safe house’.

Young mum Marlena Ocran, 23, of Primrose Place, Isleworth, Middlesex, was locked-up for five years after ‘Taxi’ sniffed-out the firearms “ a robber’s kit” hidden underneath a wardrobe.

The Metropolitan Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command raided the property on June 30 and the dog (pic. l.) led them to two semi-automatic pistols, a sawn-off shotgun with seventy-two cartridges and eight bullets.

The flat was deserted and almost empty of furniture or personal belongings, indicating Ocran was not living there, but staying with relatives in Brabazon Road, Heston, Middlesex.

When arrested she admitted being the Primrose Place tenant, but claimed to know nothing about the firearms, a Russian-made self-loading Baikal, Browning and small-bore shotgun (pictured).

Less than five days later she dialled 999 confessing she had lied to police during her interview and wished to tell the truth.

During her second interview, Ocran admitted she had known about the existence of firearms and ammunition in her flat but had made no efforts to contact police.

She claimed throughout the interview that two other people had access to the flat and she had provided them with keys and they could have placed the firearms there.

Forensic analysis of the firearms revealed Ocran's fingerprints on the shotgun cartridge box and the Baikal had been converted to fire .38 rounds together with the silencer.

Ocran pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, ammunition and shortened shotgun at Kingston Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Steve Ellen said: "Ignorance is no excuse for storing firearms and ammunition.

“The MPS is committed to tackling anyone believed to be in possession of a gun and this carries a minimum term of five years in prison."

On sentencing, Judge Binning said that "it was clear she had a robber's kit."

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