Man jailed for firearms offence

A man has been jailed for five years after police found a shotgun and live ammunition at a residential address in Brent.

Mohamed Hamza Riaz, 21 (24.05.96) of Tadworth Road, NW2 was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 22 February.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of shotgun ammunition at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 15 February.

On Wednesday, 17 January at around 05:00hrs, officers from Brent’s Gangs Unit and the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command, carried out a pre-planned operation at Riaz’s home address.

Whilst at the premises officers located a rucksack containing a Rizzini double-barrelled shotgun with a shortened ‘sawn-off’ barrel and five live shotgun cartridges.

Riaz was arrested at the scene and during interview admitted that the firearm was his. He was charged with possession of a firearm and possession of shotgun ammunition and appeared in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 18 January.

Acting Detective Sergeant Tom Palmer, of Brent’s Gangs Unit, said: “The custodial sentence handed down to Riaz should act as a significant deterrent to those involved in all firearm-related crime.

“This was an intelligence-led operation secured by the team, targeting criminals who are actively involved in the illegal supply of firearms and drugs.

“The recovery of this weapon and ammunition has no doubt prevented its use on the Capital’s streets. We will continue to work with our local partners to disrupt and detect such criminality.”