A man has been jailed for more than 10 years for firearms and drug crimes.

Rakesh Patel, 39, of Alma Road, Enfield, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for two counts of possession of a prohibited firearm and 10 months for cultivation of cannabis, on Wednesday, March 23, at Wood Green Crown Court.

He was also given three years in jail for five counts of possession of ammunition without a licence, one count of possession of a firearm when prohibited, and one count of attempted possession of an imitation firearm – which will run concurrently to the other sentences. 

Detective Inspector Rick Sewart said: "There is no doubt that these guns would have ended up in the hands of violent criminals on Britain’s streets.

“With the help of Border Force officers, we have closed down this firearms factory, cut out a supply chain of lethal weapons, and prevented fatal shootings on the streets of London.

“The lengthy custodial sentence imposed demonstrates the court's recognition of the harm caused by criminals like Patel.”

On August 26, Border Force intercepted a parcel from the United States which contained a handgun. The parcel was addressed to Rakesh Patel.

Officers carried out a raid on his address on September 2, and Patel was arrested at the scene. 

Inside, police recovered a total of 11 firearms - two live and nine others in various stages of conversion, along with 50 to 100 rounds of ammunition, some blanks and other manufactured ammunition. Another firearm was found concealed in the garden.

Officers also discovered a crop of cannabis plants in the bedroom and the loft.