Two brothers have been sentenced to prison after attempting to import guns hidden in a microwave from the US to the UK.
Edward Pink and Cadien Pink were convicted of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life at Croydon Crown Court on 10 February.
They were sentenced on Monday to 12 and 14 years respectively for each count to run concurrently.
US authorities intercepted a parcel delivery from Florida destined for a business address in Newham, London, after it was scanned and seen to contain a number of suspicious objects, the court heard.
Four loaded firearms were discovered inside a microwave: two Glock 19 Gen 5 pistols; a Glock 17 Gen 5 pistol; one Taurus G2C pistol and 59 rounds of ammunition.
The serial number on each gun had been removed.
US authorities seized the firearms and alerted the Met’s Specialist Crime Command and a joint investigation was launched.
Edward Pink, from Lambeth, and Cadien Pink, from Surrey, were arrested, charged and remanded in custody on 12 July last year.
Cadien denied any involvement.
When faced with a recorded voice note from his mobile in which he was instructed by the US contact he was ordering from to name his make, model and specification, he insisted this was in relation to hair clippers for his mobile barbering business.
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Detective Chief Inspector Ant Jones, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “The Met has fantastic working relationships with partner law enforcement agencies all over the world.
“It’s because of our work with our colleagues in HSI that we have successfully prevented a number of lethal weapons from falling into the wrong hands here, and successfully brought to justice those who conspired to import them for use on the streets of London.
“I’ve no doubt that this partnership working means that lives will have been saved as a result.
“Firearms are inextricably linked to gangs, drugs markets and organised crime groups and we will stop at nothing to disrupt the use and supply of firearms on the streets of London.”
