A Plumstead man who took part in a gun exchange in Sidcup has been jailed for five years.

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership caught Mojtab Moradi, 37, from Plumstead, and Robert Reading, 50, from Rochester, in an illegal exchange of firearms.

The incident occurred in September 2022 when a minicab with Moradi inside was pulled over in Days Lane, Sidcup.

Moradi had just been witnessed leaving an alley near an Indian restaurant on Maidstone Road carrying numerous bags, including one from Primark, and loading them into the minicab boot.

A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a 0.22 inch calibre Rimfire double barrelled Derringer Pistol, covered by a tea towel, and rounds of ammunition in a toiletry bag from the Primark carrier.

DNA traces proved that Reading had supplied the pistol.

Reading's vehicle had also been spotted in the vicinity just before the arrest.

Moradi was also caught with 16 wraps of crack cocaine in his pockets and as he was detained, two burner-style Nokia mobile fell from the side of the car where he had been sitting.

On the same day, Reading's address in Castle Street, Wouldham was searched by Kent Police who found a Birmingham single barrel sawn off shotgun in the loft.

News Shopper: Reading confessed to two counts of firearm possession at Maidstone Crown Court in April, 2022Reading confessed to two counts of firearm possession at Maidstone Crown Court in April, 2022 (Image: OCR)

Moradi admitted to firearm possession, possession of ammunition, and possession of class A drugs (cocaine) at Woolwich Crown Court on October 3, 2022.

Reading confessed to two counts of firearm possession at Maidstone Crown Court in April, 2022.

Moradi received a five-year sentence on May 21 and Reading received a six-and-a-half-year sentence on April 24, both at Inner London Crown Court.

Andrew Tickner, from the Organised Crime Partnership, said: “Moradi and Reading were caught with deadly weapons which had the potential to inflict serious violence and instil fear on our streets.

“Such illegal firearms have no place in the UK and often end up in the hands of organised criminals, who use them to enforce their operations.

“We’re grateful for the assistance of Kent Police and remain committed to protecting the public by combating the supply of drugs and firearms into London and the South East.”