South east London man who made £57k selling guns and drugs is jailed

Kirk Douglas, 43, of Browning Street in Walworth, tried to sell a number of handguns as well as Scorpion, Uzi and Mac-10 submachine guns. 

Douglas was also involved in the supply of large quantites of cocaine. 

But his criminal enterprise was uncovered when the encrypted communications network Encrochat was accessed by European law enforcement in 2020. 

Data passed on to the Metropolitan Police revealed that Douglas used the code name Lakepepper to sell drugs and firearms. 

A subsequent warrant at his home address found a £57,980 in cash, further drugs and supporting evidence linking him to the Lakepepper handle. 

Cash found at Douglas' home (Image: Met Police)Douglas was found guilty of conspiring to transfer prohibited weapons, conspiring to possess a firearm, conspiring to supply Class A drugs, possession Class B drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. 

On Thursday (November 30) he was sentenced to 14 years in prison by Judge Kelleher at Inner London Crown Court. 

Kirk Douglas (Image: Met Police)Detective Inspector Jon Summers, from the Gangs and Proactive Unit, said: “Douglas arranged large-scale drug deals to make as much money as possible, with no thought of the misery and devastation he would cause in communities because of the violence it inevitably leads to. 

“He traded and bought firearms to protect his organised crime network. This investigation has undoubtedly prevented deadly violence that would have seriously impacted communities. 

“He believed using encrypted devices rendered him untouchable, and sought to facilitate the most violent of crimes. However, the Met is unceasing in our efforts to target and dismantle the organised criminal networks which seek to blight our streets.

"Ironically, the steps taken by Douglas to conceal his operation sealed his fate, presenting us with the very evidence used to convict him. 

“The outstanding work by all those involved means the streets of London are a safer place. Had these weapons been purchased the consequences would have been catastrophic.”