London Gang Jailed After Police Seize Guns And Counterfeit Cash
Three London men have received substantial jail terms after a police raid discovered thousands of pounds in counterfeit cash, class-A drugs, and firearms.
53-year-old Darren Lewis, 28-year-old Alex Findlay, and 24-year-old Umut Alpergin were all found guilty of possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition.
At an earlier hearing, Findlay and Lewis pleaded guilty to drug offences with Findlay also pleading guilty to being in possession of £5,690 in counterfeit money.
The three men appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday 9 February for sentencing.
Lewis - of Norbury Avenue, Croydon - was sentenced to 14 years behind bars with an extended license period of three years.
Findlay - of Knights Hill, Croydon - was sentenced to 18 years with a license period of four years and a Serious Crime Prevention Order - SCPO - for five years after his release.
The third man convicted, Alpergin - of Flempton Road, Hackney - was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for firearms and ammunition offences.
Police carried out an armed raid on a property on Norbury Avenue in Thornton Heath on January 26, 2021.
During the police search, two handguns and 34 rounds of ammunition were found in an outbuilding. Lewis, who had keys to the outbuilding was arrested at the scene and charged.
The two other suspects were identified following forensic testing on the firearms and the newspaper wrappings inside the outbuilding, leading to their arrest.
Investigators uncovered a class A drugs conspiracy between Findlay and Lewis that dated back between 2019 and 2021.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Alex White said: "This operation led to the removal of firearms and ammunition from Croydon's streets and demonstrates the Met's continued focus on violent crime across London.
"Each firearm seized had the capability of causing fatal injuries and causing devastation to families.
"Officers from the Specialist Crime Command working in partnership with officers from the local area enables us to identify and pursue those individuals who seek to harm the community."
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