Joint investigation leads to number of firearm charges

13 Jun 2017 06:20 PM

Two men have been charged with seven firearms offences after they were arrested by armed officers from the National Crime Agency.

Zahid Ali (33) from New House Place, Highfield, Huddersfield  and Fitz OBrian Mahoney (39) from Halls Drive, Coventry were arrested on Sunday 11 June following a joint investigation involving the NCA, West Midlands Police and West Yorkshire Police.

Mahoney was arrested in Hinckley Road in Coventry and faces five charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, selling or transferring ammunition to another, possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate, possession of a firearm when prohibited and possession of ammunition when prohibited.

Ali was arrested in Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, Huddersfield and charged with possessing ammunition without a firearms license and possession of ammunition when prohibited. A 35-year old man arrested with Ali has been released pending further enquiries.

Both appeared at magistrates court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody.

Ali will next appear on 11 July 2017 at Leeds Crown Court and Mahoney will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 11 July 2017.

Mick Maloney from the National Crime Agency said:

“The NCA and the wider policing community shares information and intelligence to disrupt the importation of firearms that can cause serious harm.

“Working with our partners in West Midlands Police and West Yorkshire Police, we have stopped two individuals who we believe are involved in the selling and transferring of ammunition and firearms”.