Operation Venetic: Man remanded over Skorpion machine gun

26 Apr 2021 01:43 PM

A man has been remanded to custody accused of supplying a Skorpion machine gun and supplying class A and B drugs.

Aweis Bashir, aged 25, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Manchester as part of a National Crime Agency investigation.

The action was part of Operation Venetic – UK law enforcement’s response to the takedown of encrypted comms platform EncroChat.

Bashir, of Parrs Wood Road, Manchester, is charged with the following:

Selling a prohibited firearm and ammunition; being concerned in the offer to supply class A and B drugs (cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis); and conspiracy to transfer prohibited ammunition.

He was remanded at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and will next appear on 19 May at Birmingham Crown Court.

The arrest was conducted with the support of Greater Manchester Police.