Isle of Dogs Gun Gangs Jailed for Up to 15 Years
Two men have been locked up for illegal firearm offences after a National Crime Agency (NCA) sting revealed a dangerous gun supply operation on the Isle of Dogs. Artem Kuts, 39, and Oliver Mark, 40, were picked up following a high-stakes surveillance operation last October. Today, they received hefty prison sentences for their crimes.
Surveillance Snags Gun Runners in South London Sting
NCA agents tailed Kuts as he left his home carrying a suspicious brown paper bag. He hopped into a black BMW 5 Series registered to Mark. A third man, Alexander Georgiev, 26, who later admitted guilt, was repeatedly seen entering and exiting the car with the same bag.
Armed officers swooped on the vehicle and found a Russian Baikal self-loading pistol tucked away in the rear footwell, alongside eight rounds of Makarov ammo. Moments later, Georgiev was caught trying to flee in a separate car.
Hidden Guns Discovered in Arrest Search
Police then searched Kuts’ home, uncovering two more Baikal pistols and 14 bullets stashed in the garden, wedged between a wall and storage unit. All the weapons and ammo were carefully concealed, showing the lengths these criminals went to evade detection.
NCA Warns: Illegal Guns Fuel Violence
“Illegal firearms drive serious violence, intimidation and coercion in our communities,”
said Jacque Beer, NCA Regional Head of Investigations.
“Seizing handguns like the ones found in the Isle of Dogs, with the help of the Metropolitan Police, protects the public from this grave threat. The NCA works tirelessly to stop criminals like Kuts, Mark and Georgiev obtaining firearms and it is only right they should serve long jail sentences for their crimes.”
Sentences Handed Down
- Artem Kuts: 15 years in jail
- Oliver Mark: 8 years in jail
- Alexander Georgiev: 6 years in jail (pleaded guilty)
The verdict comes after a seven-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, highlighting the NCA’s firm crackdown on gun crime in London.
