Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The haul of deadly pistols, machine guns and sniper rifles seized from Liverpool grandfather exposed as a gun runner

These are some of the terrifying weapons seized from a seemingly ordinary grandfather who was unmasked as a ruthless gun-runner and drug dealer in a brilliant undercover police sting.
James Dunne, 62, was part of a gang of four men who converted decommissioned guns into deadly weapons and then sold them on the black market.
But the deadly gun factory was smashed in a dramatic operation led by an undercover team from Merseyside Police's Matrix unit.
Firepower: The deadly haul seized by undercover police after uncovering an illegal gun factory in Merseyside
Firepower: The deadly haul seized by undercover police after uncovering an illegal gun factory in Merseyside
Officers posing as fellow criminals struck up a relationship with members of the gang before buying an Uzi machine pistol, handing over cash in a Tesco bag.
After placing an order for more weapons, the team were able to track the gang back to a factory unit where they discovered a stash of guns and drugs.

 

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Dunne, a father of six and grandfather of 11 was jailed for 19 years after pleading guilty to re-activating and conspiring to sell firearms and possessing drugs with intent to supply.
He was described as being a 'master engineer as well as a man of 'previous good character'.
Grandfather: James Dunne, 62, was described as a 'master engineer'
Grandfather: James Dunne, 62, was described as a 'master engineer'
Liverpool Crown Court heard that the gun 'factory' was responsible for making at least 45 firearms which have so far been linked to a murder in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and shootings in Merseyside and Preston, Lancashire.
The gang was sentenced to a total of 57 years behind bars by Judge John Phipps, who said he needed to send a message to deter others thinking about involving themselves in gun crime.
The court heard that Dunne, from Walton, Liverpool, was a man of previous good character and was a father of six with 11 grandchildren.
Co-accused Neil Hidderley, 50, of Walting Avenue, Liverpool, was jailed for 18 years after he was found guilty of the fire arms charges at two earlier trials.
Lee Malone, 24, of Jericho Close, Liverpool, and Joseph O'Rourke, 23, of Princess Road, Liverpool, were each given 10 years after they pleaded guilty to selling re-activated firearms to undercover police.
Daniel Travers, prosecuting, told the court that in February 2010 Merseyside Police's Matrix unit used an undercover officer calling himself 'Tony' to strike up a relationship with O'Rourke. O'Rourke said he could get Tony guns and on February 13 the officer was shown an Uzi machine pistol.
On February 15, Tony went back to O'Rourke - who on this occasion was with Malone - with another undercover officer calling himself 'Carl' and they bought the Uzi for £5,000, handing the cash over in a Tesco bag, the court heard.
On February 25, O'Rourke and Malone agreed to sell Tony three Glock 9mm pistols for £10,800.
Heavy duty: Detective Superintendent Paul Richardson with a powerful military machine gun that was discovered by the team from Merseyside Police's Matrix Unit
Heavy duty: Detective Superintendent Paul Richardson with a powerful military machine gun that was discovered by the team from Merseyside Police's Matrix Unit
Covert police officers then followed Malone to Freeport Engineering, a factory unit in Dublin Street, Liverpool.
Police raided the unit and found a stash of weapons, ammunition and drugs inside. Dunne, who had worked as an engineer on the Liverpool docks, was inside.
Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Supt Richardson said: 'We knew through the work of the undercover police officer that we had actually taken out not only the supply chain, but also the people who had the ability to manufacture weapons and put them back on to the streets of Merseyside.'

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