An 18-year-old man is due to appear in court later this week after being charged with 29 offences relating to firearms and explosive substances, following a major investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Sakhile Ntsele, of Wandsworth Road, SW8, will appear at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, 28 March, facing a series of serious charges connected to an incident in October 2024 that led to the discovery of a cache of homemade weapons and explosive materials.

The investigation began when officers were called to Ntsele’s home address on Sunday, 27 October 2024, following reports of a disturbance. Upon attending the scene, police allegedly found a number of homemade weapons. Ntsele was arrested on the spot.

He was initially charged on Saturday, 29 October 2024 with:

• One count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon, and

• One count of making threats to kill.

The case was passed to Trident officers within the Met’s Specialist Crime South Command, who launched a wider investigation into the materials found at the property.

As inquiries progressed, Ntsele was charged on 8 November 2024 with manufacturing a weapon.

Then, on Thursday, 13 March 2025, he was hit with a further 26 charges, including:

• Eight counts of possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life

• Eight counts of making explosive substances for an unlawful purpose

• Five counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life

• Five counts of possessing a firearm without a certificate

Police have not released further details about the nature of the weapons or the substances allegedly found but confirmed that the materials posed a serious threat to public safety.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:

"This is a complex and ongoing investigation led by Specialist Crime officers. The charges brought reflect the serious nature of the materials allegedly discovered, and our commitment to ensuring London remains safe from threats involving illegal weapons and explosives."

Ntsele remains in custody ahead of his court appearance on Friday.

Anyone with information related to illegal weapons or suspicious activity is urged to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.