Four Gangsters Caged for 52 Years After Armed Police Sting in Deptford
In a major win against violent crime, four men have been slammed with a total of 52 years behind bars. Jamal Francis, Jarell McKenzie, Gregton Bower, and James Rowland were caught red-handed in Deptford, southeast London, stuffed with a loaded gun and three hefty knives.
Armed Cops Pull Off Dramatic Minicab Stop
The bust, known as “Operation Chanco,” went down on June 1 last year. Police marksmen brought a minicab to a screeching halt on Cranbrook Road. Although the gang tried to bolt, armed officers nabbed all four, discovering their deadly arsenal.
Harsh Sentences for Armed Offenders
At Woolwich Crown Court, 21-year-old Jamal Francis got 16 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Jarell McKenzie was handed nine years, Gregton Bower 13, and James Rowland 14 years for their parts in the crime. Francis, McKenzie, and Bower also admitted to carrying the weapons when caught.
Met Police Praise the Arrests, Call for Public Help
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson said, “These sentences reflect the seriousness of the men’s offences. They were travelling in a car with a gun and numerous large knives. Thankfully, we will never know the harm they would have inflicted that day, but it seems reasonable to speculate that this investigation and these arrests could well have saved a life.”
The operation highlights the Met’s fierce campaign to clear weapons from London’s streets. DCI Sanderson urged locals to report any violent crime info, stressing community tips are vital to stopping violence and locking up dangerous offenders.
With these thugs off the streets, Lewisham and London are safer places. The Metropolitan Police remain committed to smashing violent crime across the capital.
