Drug Dealer and Gunman Jailed for 16 Years After Huge Police Haul
A Bolton man got locked up for over 16 years after police found a deadly stash of automatic guns, tons of Class A drugs, and a whopping £140,000 in cash hidden in his home.
Massive Seizure Following Intelligence-Led Police Raid
Terence O’Connor, 25, of Webb Street, Bolton, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Monday, 10 May. The Met’s Proactive Money Laundering Team launched an intelligence-led investigation that exposed his criminal empire.
O’Connor pleaded guilty back on 21 August 2020 to multiple charges including possession and supply of Class A drugs (cocaine), possession of automatic weapons, ammunition, and criminal property. He also admitted to having a silencer and firearms with intent to endanger life.
Undercover Officers Catch O’Connor Red-Handed
- On 21 April 2020, officers spotted O’Connor hand over what looked like a bag of cash to a suspect linked to a money laundering probe.
- Then, on 30 April, he was caught in Edgware moving suspicious items from a car boot.
- Police swooped, searched, and found large quantities of cocaine concealed in a backpack along with an encrypted “EncroChat” phone.
O’Connor claimed, “I’ve never seen that before” when confronted with the drugs but was arrested and taken into custody.
Secret Stash Reveals Deadly Arsenal and Drug Empire
A search of O’Connor’s Edgware address uncovered:
- £143,080 in cash plus a money counting machine
- About 1 kilo of cocaine worth up to £36,000
- Packaging suggesting over 100 kilos of cocaine had been processed there
- A hidden false wall concealing a holdall packed with automatic weapons and ammo
- A fully functioning 9mm Uzi and a .32 auto Skorpion submachine gun, compatible magazines, silencer, and 332 rounds of ammunition
Forensic tests confirmed the guns were operational and deadly.
Detectives Warn of Link Between Drugs, Guns, and Violence
Detective Constable Kevin Davies said: “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the matters under investigation and will serve as a deterrent to those involved in serious and organised crime.”
“O’Connor was involved in large scale drug trafficking and laundering of criminal proceeds. The possession of dangerous automatic weapons and ammunition posed a serious threat to Londoners.”
“This case shows the deep connection between money laundering, drugs, and violence. We remain committed to putting dangerous criminals like O’Connor behind bars to keep London safer.”
