New video shows moment we put the brakes on an underworld gun deal
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Four men and a teenager involved in an underworld deal to sell a handgun in exchange for stolen cars have been jailed as part of our ongoing efforts to target serious and organised crime in the West Midlands.
A group of four from Birmingham planned to meet a man from London to sell the gun in exchange for two stolen cars.
But our firearms officers were waiting and swooped on the men from Birmingham as they waited to make the deal in a Ford Fiesta on Dawlish Road in Selly Oak on 9 August last year.
In the back of the car was a blank firing gun which had been converted into a live-firing weapon, and 10 live rounds of ammunition.
In the Fiesta were Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, aged 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17.
The man from London was Drew Neale, 21, who was on a nearby road waiting for the deal to take place when he was arrested.
A major investigation established how another man, convicted murderer Teeko Le, 21, had masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Friday:
- Le, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell the gun and ammunition. It will start at the end of the minimum 20-year term which he is serving for murder.
- Kaseba, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight years and six months after being found guilty of the same offences.
- Khan, of Rocky Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and seven months for the same offences, and also possession of a shotgun which was found at his home.
- Neale, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years and eight months for being involved in the sale of the gun and ammunition, and also handling stolen goods.
- The 17-year-old was committed to a young offenders institution for three years for firearms and ammunition sale offences.
Cordova was convicted at trial earlier this year but failed to appear for sentencing and is now wanted by officers.
Det Insp Amar Patel, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: “Had we not intervened when we did, this gun would have been handed over and been used in further criminality – to threaten or harm others.
“The gun had DNA of Khan and Cordova on it, along with that of the 17-year-old.
“We will relentlessly pursue those involved in gun crime in the West Midlands, and ensure they are brought to justice.”
We’re committed to tackling serious and organised crime under Operation Target.
Our officers work 24/7 to take on this involved in firearms, drugs, money laundering and exploitation.