Two men have been jailed after making firearms for criminals in Birmingham.
Author: Molly HookingsPublished 10 minutes ago
Two men, who made firearms and ammunition for criminals in Birmingham, have been jailed for a combined total of 25 years.
Rahim Kizito of Russell Street, Cofton Hackett, and Godfree Mbugoniwia of Brunswick Road, Birmingham, would take blank-firing weapons and adapt them to fire live ammunition.
Following their arrest in 2023, police searched a flat on Wharfdale Road in South Yardley where they found guns, ammunition, and drugs.
A raid was then carried out at a place on Russell Street in Rubery where officers found a manufacturing station, with empty bullet casings, tools, and magazines for handguns.
Kizito, 29, was the manufacturer while Mbugoniwia, 27, helped sell the guns to criminals.
Messages were uncovered by officers showing Mbugoniwia talking to customers about the weapons and their price, as well as the quantity of ammunition to be supplied with them.
Each weapon would be sold for between £1,000 and £3,000 depending on the specifications of the customer.
Kizito also messaged various customers to reassure them of the reliability of his weapons, promising them they would not jam while being used.
Detective Sergeant Adam Buzzard, from the County Lines Taskforce, said: “This was a serious case involving high-level criminality putting live firearms in the hands of criminals.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Major Crime Team, we were able to uncover the extensive operation and potentially save dozens of lives.
“We’re continuing our work to take these weapons, as well as the people who carry and supply them, off the streets for good.”
Both men denied being involved, but were charged with firearms offences in late 2023.
On 28 July, both men were jailed for over 25 years at Birmingham Crown Court. Kizito was jailed for 13 years and seven months, while Mbugoniwia was sentenced to 12 years and nine months.