Firearms Stash Dug Up in Warrington Garden
Two guns and over 100 rounds of ammo were unearthed in a Warrington backyard during a National Crime Agency (NCA) operation targeting firearms supply networks.
Secret Cache Discovered After EncroChat Bust
Officers raided a house on Selworthy Drive and found two taped packages buried in the garden. One contained a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol with roughly 100 bullets. The other held a Grand Power semi-auto pistol, over 20 rounds, and a suppressor.
The NCA’s intel came from EncroChat data seized during Operation Venetic and mobile phones recovered during other arrests.
Suspect Nabbed Abroad
Robert Brazendale, 33, linked to the property, was arrested last month on the Costa del Sol under a European Arrest Warrant. The NCA’s investigation, which has already recovered assault rifles, submachine guns, and hundreds of rounds of ammo, has charged three other men.
A man and woman in their 60s were also arrested at the Warrington property but later released under investigation.
NCA Warns on Threat of Firearms in UK Streets
“A lot of effort had clearly been put into trying to hide these weapons which we believe are linked to serious and organised crime,” said NCA Investigations Manager Paul Owen.
“We know that guns in the UK are commonly used by criminals to coerce, intimidate and carry out serious acts of violence.”
“Thanks to the hard work of our officers and partners, we’ve taken more deadly weapons off the streets. We will keep targeting those who bring firearms into our communities.”
This latest seizure is part of the NCA’s crackdown following the shutdown of EncroChat, the encrypted messaging platform used by organised crime groups.
