Test firing leads cops to illegal gun factory
3 held after industrial estate swoop
AN illegal gun factory hidden on an industrial estate was raided after police heard gunshots from inside.
Three men were arrested after National Crime Agency officers investigating a business unit heard loud bangs inside that turned out to be “tests”.
Over 30 handguns, ammunition, machinery and templates thought to be used to manufacture guns were discovered.
The “sophisticated” operation was found at the unit described as a gearbox repair business.
The NCA’s Rob Hickinbottom said: “We suspect this has disrupted criminal production of firearms. We have prevented a potentially large quantity of weapons from getting on to the black market.”
Greg Akehurst, 29, of no fixed address, and Mark Kinman, 63, of Hailsham, East Sussex, have appeared before Brighton magistrates charged with possessing a firearm. Kyle Wood, 30, of Littlehampton, was charged with the same, as well as possessing ammunition. They were remanded in custody and will appear at Kingston crown court on September 17. Workers at other units on the Hailsham estate were stunned. Duncan McGregor, of Robust Machinery, said Kinman was a “very clever machinist”. He said he had never seen him do anything suspicious. Steve Hancock, who works in the nearby Metaltech factory, said the business made gearbox components but that its sign had been taken down in the past year.