A 23-year-old man has admitted to possessing a sawn-off shotgun after police discovered the weapon during a vehicle stop in Kent.
Tyler Tanner, from Dartford, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 23 October, to a firearms offence. He is due to be sentenced on 14 December.
The incident occurred on 17 June when Tanner and another man were driving a white transit van to a cul-de-sac in Longfield, Kent. After parking, Tanner returned carrying an orange carrier bag and then sat back in the passenger seat.
Specialist officers, supported by armed units, followed the van as part of an intelligence-led operation. The vehicle was stopped nearby in Meopham, Kent.
A search of the van uncovered the orange bag in the passenger footwell. Inside was a two-barrel firearm and another bag containing approximately 40 shotgun cartridges. The weapon was made safe and confirmed to be a sawn-off shotgun after testing.
Tanner and the driver, aged 27, were arrested on suspicion of firearm possession and taken to a south London police station. Tanner was charged later that day.
Detective Inspector Stephen Masterson of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “This investigation led to a dangerous weapon being taken off the streets. Each shotgun cartridge seized had the terrifying potential to seriously injure or kill.”
He added: “Tackling violence remains the Met’s top priority. Removing firearms from the streets, stopping their supply and transport, and catching those who handle deadly weapons is crucial.”
Detective Inspector Masterson also urged the public to assist, saying: “However, we cannot win this fight alone. I urge anyone with information on violent crime to contact police or Crimestoppers if you want to stay anonymous.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
