Four men have been handed substantial prison sentences after a police crackdown on a firearms and heroin trafficking gang operating across the UK. Rocky Thompson, 35, the homeless leader of the crime ring, was sentenced to 15 years for conspiracy to sell and transfer firearms, possession of ammunition, and supply of Class A drugs (heroin).
His right-hand man, Shakeel Khaliq, 34, from Aylesbury, received 14 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell and transfer firearms at Southwark Crown Court. Yetgin Eken, 47, also without a fixed address, was given 13 years following his conviction at Woolwich Crown Court for conspiracy involving firearms and ammunition. Mohammed Raqib Tariq, 24, of Aylesbury, was handed a 21-month suspended sentence for participating in the activities of the organised criminal group.
The crime saga began on 4 September 2019 when Thompson flew to Istanbul, Turkey. Over the following weeks, he maintained close contact with Khaliq and a Turkish associate, planning the purchase of firearms. Shortly after, Yetgin Eken smuggled guns and ammunition hidden in his lorry’s back from Turkey to Dover, then on to Thetford, Norfolk, on 20 September.
Khaliq arranged a meeting in Aylesbury with Tariq to collect the first shipment. Tariq made a down payment in cash for the guns and a significant quantity of heroin.
On 14 October, Eken returned to the UK via Dover with additional contraband. Shortly after, Tariq met with him again in Thetford. Eken loaded a black holdall into Tariq’s car boot and took a red/orange bag containing £9,000. At that moment, armed police from the Metropolitan, Thames Valley, and Norfolk forces conducted simultaneous raids.
Thompson and Khaliq were arrested at a safe house in Aylesbury. Tariq was detained near Newmarket, Suffolk, where police found six pistols, 126 bullets, and over 1kg of heroin valued at around £100,000. Eken was apprehended in his lorry.
Detective Chief Inspector Driss Hayoukane, Senior Investigating Officer, praised the police team responsible for dismantling the gang. He said, “This complex and fast-moving investigation shows our commitment to cracking down on firearms traffickers. Thanks to outstanding efforts by police forces across jurisdictions, we seized six deadly guns, ammunition, and heroin before they hit the streets. This operation prevented potentially fatal shootings in London and beyond.”
During questioning, Eken claimed he was unaware of the firearms and insisted he was only delivering food. However, officers uncovered phone images proving his involvement.
The sentencing on 16 July delivers a significant blow to this organised crime network and sends a clear message that police remain relentless in efforts to keep weapons off UK streets.
Originally published by UKNIP.
