A man from County Antrim has been charged with attempting to import a gun and ammunition in the post from the United States.
15 October 2020
National Crime Agency officers arrested 38-year-old Christopher Scott on Tuesday in Ballymoney, County Antrim, in an operation that was supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
A quantity of class C drugs was also recovered during the operation.
The Sig Sauer weapon, along with magazines and ammunition, had been found by Border Force officers carrying out checks on incoming mail at an international depot near Stanstead Airport in Essex.
It was recovered from a parcel sent from the US containing computer parts.
Scott, of Frosses Road, Ballymoney, has now been charged with attempting to import a firearm, two charges relating to the attempted possession of a firearm, and possessing class C drugs with intent to supply.
He will appear before Ballymena magistrates today (15 October).
A 29-year-old man arrested by the NCA at the same time has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
NCA Belfast branch commander David Cunningham said:
“This operation has prevented a deadly firearm from reaching the streets of County Antrim.
“Working with partners like the PSNI and Border Force we are determined to do all we can to stop those who want to bring violence into our communities.”
13 October 2020
Two men have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into the attempted importation of a firearm into Northern Ireland.
The pair, aged 38 and 29, were detained at an address in Ballymoney this morning (13 October) following a joint operation involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland and NCA officers.
They are now being questioned by NCA investigators, while searches at addresses in Ballymoney continue.
The arrests follow a Border Force seizure of a package containing a functioning handgun, two magazines and more than 50 rounds of ammunition at an international parcel hub in England.
NCA Belfast branch commander David Cunningham said:
“This is an excellent example of how the NCA, PSNI and Border Force are working together to prevent firearms making it on to our streets.
“Those wishing to bring firearms into our communities do so for one reason, to cause serious harm. Stopping the supply is a priority for us and we will do everything we can, with our partners, to bring those responsible to justice.”
