Young men and woman who helped sell guns and ammunition across Birmingham put behind bars
Members of a gang involved in the sale of guns and ammunition across Birmingham have received lengthy prison sentences.
Five people have been given long prison sentences after a lengthy investigation by officers from the West Midlands Police Major Crime Unit, which started back in October 2023.
On October 13 that year, officers swooped on a black Ford Fiesta parked on Rennie Grove in Quinton, Birmingham, recovering a revolver and ammunition and arresting occupant Jade Slater and Keoin Headley, who was nearby.
The arrests sparked the major investigation and analysis of the pair’s mobile phones uncovered evidence of a conspiracy to supply guns and ammunition involving the pair and other criminals, including Hamza Hoo, who was serving a prison sentence for aggravated burglary at the time and who used phones to coordinate the movement of guns.
Salva Emungu and Slater had played a key role in the handling and couriering of the firearms around October 10, with forensic evidence directly linking Emungu to the recovered revolver, while the messages showed another man, Michael Howe, tried to buy the firearm that was recovered.
On Thursday (June 12) Hoo, aged 22 and of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years after admitting conspiracy to supply firearms.
Last month, Headley, 20 and of no fixed address, was jailed for six years; Slater, aged 25 and of no fixed address, was jailed for five years and seven months; while Emungu, aged 22 and of Nelson Road in Aston, was jailed for six years and four months. All had admitted conspiracy to supply firearms.
Finally, Michael Howe, 20 and of Maple Close in Birmingham, was jailed for two years and three months for attempting to possess a firearm.
Detective Inspector Al Teague, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a significant conspiracy to move and sell firearms around the West Midlands and beyond so that criminals could use them to threaten or harm others.
“We will relentlessly pursue those involved in the use of firearms and all other forms of serious and organised crime.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The success is part of Operation Target, our 24/7 mission to tackle serious and organised crime in the West Midlands.
"Our officers target those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation, making the region safer and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation."
