Major Police Operation Across Midlands After 3D-Printed Gun Discovery
A major police operation spanning the Midlands has resulted in the arrest of six individuals following the recovery of a 3D-printed firearm and other weapons-related materials. The operation involved coordinated efforts between multiple law enforcement agencies.
Weapons Seized in Loughborough and Solihull
The operation began when officers from the National Crime Agency's Armed Operations Unit stopped a vehicle in Loughborough, Leicestershire, yesterday afternoon. During the stop, they recovered a 3D-printed firearm from the car.
At approximately the same time, police executed a raid at an address in the Loughborough area, where they seized a blank-firing weapon believed to be readily convertible into a live-firing firearm. Authorities also confiscated materials used in the production of weapons and ammunition at this location.
In a simultaneous action, police conducted a raid at a property in Solihull, where they recovered a 3D printer on Wednesday, April 15. This equipment is believed to be connected to the firearms production operation.
Six Suspects Arrested and in Custody
The operation resulted in the arrest of five men aged between 22 and 42 years old, along with a 44-year-old woman. All six individuals remain in custody in the West Midlands today on suspicion of firearms offences.
The investigation represents a collaborative effort between West Midlands Police and the National Crime Agency, with additional support provided by Leicestershire Police. This joint operation demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to addressing serious criminal activity across regional boundaries.
Police Statement on the Operation
Detective Superintendent Ryan Chambers from the Major Crime Unit commented on the successful operation, stating: "This is a fantastic collaborative result and has seen a potentially lethal 3D-printed firearm taken off the streets, along with another gun which could easily have been converted to fire live ammunition."
He further emphasized the seriousness of 3D-printed weapons: "While still rare in the region, 3D-printed guns are deadly and a valuable commodity among criminals. This joint investigation between West Midlands Police and the NCA is targeted towards firearms related criminality and shows that we will operate beyond the West Midlands where necessary to protect the public from the harm that gun crime causes in the region."
Part of Broader Crime Initiative
This operation forms part of Operation Target, the police's ongoing 24/7 mission to tackle serious and organized crime across the region. The initiative focuses on targeting individuals involved in various criminal activities including:
- Firearms offences
- Drug trafficking
- Money laundering
- Criminal exploitation
Specialist teams and investigators work continuously to identify and apprehend those involved in these serious crimes, with this latest operation representing a significant success in their efforts to remove dangerous weapons from circulation and disrupt criminal networks operating across the Midlands region.
