Illegal Gun Workshop Busted in Smethwick
Blank Guns Set for Deadly Makeover
Police swooped on a suspected illegal workshop in Mallin Street, Smethwick, where blank-firing firearms were being converted into deadly weapons. The National Crime Agency (NCA) seized legal blank guns believed to be prepped for modification into live firearms.
Weapons, Ammo & Stolen Car Found
Officers uncovered converted guns, live rounds, ammunition casings, and even a stolen Volkswagen at the property. The crackdown exposed a serious firearms supply network targeting the West Midlands.
Two Arrested – One Charged
- 49-year-old Alireza Nowbakht from Mallin Street was charged with firearms offences and motor vehicle theft. He appeared before Wolverhampton Magistrates on 22 December and was remanded until his Crown Court hearing on 19 January 2023.
- A second man, aged 50 from West Bromwich, was arrested but released on bail as investigations continue.
NCA Cracks Down on Gun Crime
“It is illegal to modify or adapt blank-firing firearms into viable guns, and preventing them from entering the criminal supply chain is a priority for the NCA and our partners,” said NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope.
“We believe this operation has significantly disrupted a network involved in firearms supply and protected the public of the West Midlands.”
