Glasgow Man Jailed for Smuggling Deadly Stun Gun Hidden as Torch
A Glasgow man has been slammed with five years behind bars after trying to smuggle a lethal stun gun disguised as a torch into the UK. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland cracked the case following a Border Force interception at Stansted Airport.
Deadly Weapon Caught at Stansted Airport
On 22 February 2020, Border Force officers spotted the concealed stun gun during routine freight checks at Stansted Airport. The package, addressed to 54-year-old Yai Kain Cheung in Springburn, Glasgow, raised immediate suspicions.
Just weeks later, on 7 April 2020, NCA and Police Scotland raided Cheung’s home. They uncovered two more stun devices buried at the property, all illegal under the Firearms Act 1968.
Cheung Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charges
Cheung admitted to buying all three stun guns but denied possession of two. The court accepted his not guilty pleas for those. However, he pled guilty to importing the stun gun seized at Stansted and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm due to past convictions.
He was sentenced at Glasgow’s High Court on 6 August 2023 to five years for the importation charge and two years for possession, to run concurrently.
Law Enforcement Warns Public on Firearms Smuggling
Rob Miles, NCA Operations Manager, said: “Though disguised as a torch, this device posed a serious risk of injury or death. This seizure highlights the ongoing threat of firearm imports and our commitment to stopping criminals like Cheung.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, Police Scotland’s Head of Organised Crime, added: “This conviction sends a clear message that illegal firearms won’t be tolerated in Scotland. Our joint efforts with the NCA are vital to keeping dangerous weapons off our streets.”
Border Force’s Deputy Director Martin Hendy commented: “This sentence reflects the hard work by Border Force and NCA to secure UK borders. It warns anyone attempting weapon smuggling that we’re watching and ready to act.”
