Two crooks who ran an illegal firearms factory from a railway arch lock-up – producing James Bond-type weapons such as a pen and key-ring gun – have been jailed.
Paul Coke, 40, of Mayesbrook Road, Ilford, Essex (pic.l.) received 14 years and 26 year-old Fatmir Kadena of Flack Court, Leyton, East London (pic.r.) received 9 years.
They were arrested after Operation Trident officers – who investigate violent black-on-black crime in the capital – raided the premises, which were protected by a reinforced steel door.
Inside police seized nine firearms, including the lethal pen-gun (pictured) and the key-ring gun, which was hidden inside a ceiling beam.
They were convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, with intent to enable others to endanger life.
Police armed with search warrants executed the dawn raid in Tilbury Road, Leyton on May 11, last year after discovering the pair ran a DIY gun-conversion business – turning imitation and blank-firing handguns into live weapons, which retail on the black market for £500 - £1,000.
Firearms seized included 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, located inside a cardigan pocket and the key-ring gun had been modified from their original form and 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.
A second premises further along Tilbury Road was searched and police found a silencer and further ammunition hidden inside the engine compartment of a Vauxhall Calibra.
Self-loading pistols and additional ammunition were found in a black bag stashed 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.
Ironically the CCTV cameras set up 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.
“This was a highly organised operation whereby Coke and Kadena were converting and modifying firearms, doubtless with the sole intention of selling them on to those intent on committing serious crime,” said Detective constable Dan Bryant of Operation Trident.
“They were dangerous and ruthless individuals, content in the knowledge they were producing deadly weapons in order to line their own pockets and I am pleased that today's result reflects the danger their actions posed to the wider community.
“Trident is committed to tackling all aspects of gun crime and will continue in its determination to bring those who profit from it to justice.”
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