Man Sentenced for Smuggling Firearm Parts from Pakistan to the UK

Yasir Khan, 40, was sentenced to eight years in prison for smuggling 72 firearm parts from Pakistan hidden in a 1976 Datsun Sunny. The NCA discovered the parts during a port inspection. Evidence revealed prior smuggling attempts and connections to firearm manufacturing. NCA officials stressed the importance of preventing illegal firearms from reaching UK streets.

A man named Yasir Khan, aged 40, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to smuggle 72 firearm parts from Pakistan to the UK. This operation involved the concealment of 36 top slides and 36 barrels for 9mm Glock pistols in a vintage 1976 Datsun Sunny. The components were ingeniously hidden beneath the windscreen, behind the engine block, and within the fuel tank, and were unearthed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force on July 7, 2024, at London Gateway Port.

Following the discovery, the NCA launched an investigation that led to Khan’s arrest on July 12, 2024, in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. He claimed to be a car dealer, but findings from his mobile phone revealed communication with a firearms parts supplier in Pakistan, who had invited him to inspect the manufacturing site. It is believed that Khan previously engaged in a similar smuggling operation in November 2023.

Evidence indicates that Khan was involved in attempts to manufacture functional firearms from deactivated models he had purchased, suggesting a trend of illegal activities. NCA Senior Investigating Officer David Phillips emphasized the importance of collaboration with law enforcement both domestically and internationally to prevent such illegal firearms from reaching UK streets, highlighting that this operation thwarted a significant influx of firearm components intended for organized crime.

In summary, Yasir Khan’s sentencing reflects the serious nature of firearm smuggling and the measures being taken by law enforcement agencies to combat such actions. The NCA remains committed to preventing illegal firearms from infiltrating the UK and is actively pursuing individuals engaged in the distribution of weapon components. The case underscores the collaborative efforts of authorities in addressing organized crime related to firearms.

Original Source: www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk