Rahim Kizito and Godfree Mbugoniwia would take blank-firing weapons and adapt them to fire live ammunition from inside a house in Birmingham
Two men who made firearms and ammunition to sell to criminals have been jailed. Pictured L-R: Rahim Kizito and Godfree Mbugoniwia(Image: West Midlands Police)
A firearm producing duo from Birmingham who promised contacts in the criminal underworld that their guns ‘would not jam’ have been jailed.
Rahim Kizito and Godfree Mbugoniwia would take blank-firing weapons and adapt them to fire live ammunition, which they would make at an address in Birmingham.
The two men were arrested in 2023 by officers from West Midlands Police’s County Lines Taskforce.
READ MORE: Birmingham Airport addresses ‘kiss-and-fly’ price hike as thousands sign UK petition
READ MORE: Unique Ozzy Osbourne-linked sculpture that Brummies love damaged by vandals
Following their arrest, officers searched a flat in Wharfdale Road, South Yardley, finding three viable firearms and compatible ammunition, as well as suspected Class A drugs.
Following these searches, a warrant was carried out in Russell Street, Rubery, where officers found a manufacturing station where the weapons would be adapted to fire live ammunition.
A large amount of empty bullet casings, magazines for handguns and tools used to adapt firearms were found at the workbench.
Breaking news straight to your WhatsApp
BirminghamLive readers get the very latest breaking news through our WhatsApp community.
All you have to do is click this link and select ‘Join Chat’ and you are in.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like by selecting ‘exit group’.
Pictures from the force showed signs of domestic life among the gun station, including Christmas cards and gift bags.
Enquiries by investigators established Kizito’s role as the maker and armourer, adapting the firearms and ammunition, while Mbugoniwia’s role was to help sell the guns on 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.
Two men who made firearms and ammunition to sell to criminals have been jailed. Rahim Kizito and Godfree Mbugoniwia would take blank-firing weapons and adapt them to fire live ammunition.(Image: West Midlands Police)
Each weapon would be sold for between £1,000 and £3,000 depending on the specifications and desires of the customer.
Officers told of Kizito also messaged various customers to reassure them of the reliability of his weapons, promising them they would ‘not jam’ while being used.
West Midlands Police’s county lines lead officer told of how the pair were responsible for putting “live firearms into the hands of criminals.”
Both men denied being involved, but were charged with firearms offences in late 2023.
On July 28 both men were jailed for over 25 years at Birmingham Crown Court.
Two men who made firearms and ammunition to sell to criminals have been jailed. Pictured: A workstation used by Rahim Kizito and Godfree Mbugoniwia(Image: West Midlands Police)
They were sentenced as follows:
Rahim Kizito, 29, of Russell Street, Cofton Hackett, jailed for 13 years and seven months.
Godfree Mbugoniwia, 27, of Brunswick Road, Birmingham, jailed for 12 years and nine months.
Following sentencing, 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.”