Four Men Jailed Over Illegal Firearms & Drugs Network in Midlands
Midlands Firearms & Drugs Network Smashed as Gang Members Jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court Following Major Police Investigation Into Converted Weapons.
Four men involved in an extensive firearms supply conspiracy that converted blank-firing pistols into live and viable weapons for organised crime groups across the Midlands have been sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
The police operation began in July 2023 when officers from the Wolverhampton Priority Crime Team executed a warrant at Dhillon's home address and arrested him for drug offences.
The investigation was subsequently expanded by the Major Crime Unit, uncovering that Dhillon and Maco were converting blank-firing pistols into live firearms, with Jassal and Asif identified as part of the wider supply chain.
Investigators recovered photographs of gang members displaying the converted weapons alongside ammunition, as well as messages discussing both firearms and drugs.
Legal proceedings led to convictions at different intervals, beginning with Jassal on 20 May, followed by Dhillon and Asif on 6 July, and Maco on 7 July, culminating in Friday's sentencing hearings at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Shivam Dhillon received a sentence of 10 years and five months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, conspiracy to convert imitation firearms, and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Gustav Maco was jailed for nine years after being convicted of the same three offences.
Hamzah Asif was sentenced to six years and two months imprisonment following his conviction for conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons.
Cailan Jassal received a 22-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, after being convicted of converting imitation firearms and the sale or transfer of a prohibited weapon or ammunition.
