Surrey barber who tried to smuggle firearms in a microwave into UK said he ordered hair clippers
A Surrey man and his brother tried to smuggle a cache of firearms in a microwave into the UK.
US authorities intercepted a parcel from Florida destined for a business address in London. The seizure last summer came after the delivery was scanned and seen to contain a number of suspicious objects.
During their search, they discovered a microwave and inside were four loaded firearms. There were two Glock 19 Gen 5 pistols; a Glock 17 Gen 5 pistol; one Taurus G2C pistol and 59 rounds of ammunition. All had the serial numbers removed. US authorities seized the firearms and alerted the Met Police's Specialist Crime Command.
On July 12 2022, Cadien Pink and his brother Edward Pink were arrested, charged and remanded in custody. Cadien Pink, from Surrey, denied any involvement.
When faced with a recorded voice note from his mobile phone 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.
Edward Pink, 46, of Namba Ray Close, Lambeth, London and Cadien Pink, 41, of Surrey were both convicted at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, February 10 of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life. They were sentenced at the same court on Monday, February 20, to 12 years and 14 years respectively for each count, to run concurrently.
Detective Chief Inspector Ant Jones, 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." HSI London Attaché Tim Hemker, said: "Homeland Security Investigations values its partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service and today’s sentencings highlight the impact exemplary international collaboration can have on the safety of communities we serve.
"HSI will continue to work with international law enforcement partners to investigate and combat transnational organized crimes, like weapons smuggling, to help bring criminals to justice that seek to circumvent laws and do harm worldwide."
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