Border Force Foils Firearm Smuggling at Harwich Port
Border officers launched a major probe after stopping a BMW at Harwich International Port on September 17. Inside were driver Marek Rafal Kloskowicz and passenger Pawel Marcin Krakowczyk, who claimed they were returning from Poland to Ireland, where they had worked in construction for five years.
Hidden Guns Discovered in Car Boot
The BMW, owned by Krakowczyk, was searched thoroughly. Officers found an empty gun holster hidden inside the boot lining. A deeper search uncovered two Zoraki forward venting blank-firing firearms stashed behind the back seats and wedged in the gap between the upholstery and boot compartment.
Blank Guns Modified to Fire Live Rounds
Each weapon had a loaded magazine and had been converted into fully firing firearms. X-rays revealed the magazines contained improvised bulleted cartridges—some even loaded incorrectly—making these no toy weapons. Such guns are often linked to organised crime, used to intimidate, harm, or even kill.
“Guns are often associated with the supply of illegal drugs, and are used by organised criminals to instil fear, inflict violence and in some cases, to kill. We will continue to work with key partners, such as Border Force, to prevent illegal firearms from entering the UK,” a spokesperson said.
