Jail for men caught with guns in Camden

Two men caught with firearms in Camden have been jailed for a total of 21 years.

Specialist firearms police working with officers from the Trident Gang Crime command stopped two cars in Camden Road on May 5 last year following a tip off that a weapons handover was about to take place.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard that Lawson Choo, 29 was in the back of a yellow Toyota Prius taxi when it was stopped by officers. He was searched and found to be carrying a canvas bag concealed under his coat.

The bag contained a loaded silver revolver with two rounds of ammunition in the chambers and an unloaded black semi-automatic pistol.

Mohammed Dinee, 31, who was driving the other vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf, was arrested and charged after phone evidence proved he had arranged to take possession of the firearm.

Last Friday, Choo, of Oak Way, Acton, was jailed for 14 years after admitting possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm less than 30cm / 60cm in length, and possessing ammunition without a certificate.

Dinee, 31, of Chepstow Road, Paddington, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Det Insp Tim Grinsted, from Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “I am very pleased with the sentences handed out by the court. This sends a clear message to criminals who are prepared to endanger our communities by possessing and using firearms. Officers from Operation Trident will continue to work relentlessly to remove guns from the streets of London and deal robustly with those prepared to put others at risk.”