East London Man Jailed for Sending Night Vision Gear to Taliban
An East Londoner has been slammed with a seven-year prison sentence for sending night vision and thermal rifle scopes to aid Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan.
Muhammad Choudhary, 41, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 15 October 2024. The prosecution followed a joint probe by HMRC and the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Supporting Terrorism from the UK
Choudhary admitted to funding terrorism and was given an extra one-year licence period after his release. Between 2017 and 2018, he shipped multiple thermal and night vision rifle scopes to Pakistan, knowing they would support Taliban forces fighting against the Afghan government and coalition troops.
These deadly gadgets were sourced from legitimate hunting suppliers but ended up in the hands of terrorists.
Authorities Crack Down on Terror Links
“This case shows how terrorism takes many forms,” said Acting Commander Gareth Rees, Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. “We will hunt down anyone in the UK who aids terrorism, no matter the cause or location.”
The operation sparked when HMRC seized a suspicious shipment at Heathrow Airport in January 2018. Further investigations tied Choudhary to the illegal shipments.
Mike Pass, Assistant Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, stressed the UK’s tough stance:
“The UK enforces strict controls to stop military goods from falling into the wrong hands. We are committed to working with law enforcement to safeguard national security.”
Guilty Plea and Strong Warning
In January 2024, Choudhary pleaded guilty to terrorism fundraising offences under the Terrorism Act 2000. Although initially charged with 23 customs offences, these were dropped after he pleaded not guilty to them earlier in the year.
This conviction serves as a harsh reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation among UK agencies to cut off terror support networks, both at home and abroad.
