Two Men Jailed for Over 35 Years in Massive Illegal Gun Crackdown
The Metropolitan Police have dealt a major blow to the illegal firearms trade in London, sentencing two men to a combined total of over 35 years behind bars. The convictions came after a data-driven investigation exposed their crimes, despite no weapons being found on them at the time of arrest.
Eric Aram Gets 21 Years for Guns and Drugs
Eric Aram, 35, from Hayes, London, was slammed with a 21-year and 7-month sentence at Isleworth Crown Court. He was found guilty of possessing illegal firearms and supplying cannabis. Police discovered a converted blank-firing handgun hidden in a plastic bag during a raid on a Bayswater flat in April 2023.
- Aram’s fingerprints were on the converted handgun.
- November 2023 raid of his home revealed a firearm conversion manual, a drill used to modify weapons, and £1,000 cash stashed in a bedroom vent.
- Text messages uncovered on his phone showed he was a prolific dealer of guns and cannabis.
Mohammed Guetfi, the ‘Right-Hand Man’, Jailed for 14 Years
Aram’s associate Mohammed Guetfi, 33, from Green Lanes, Hackney, was handed 14 years and 4 months after pleading guilty to the same charges. Prosecutors branded him Aram’s “right-hand man”, a label the judge agreed with during sentencing.
Digital Clues Nail Firearms Sellers
Detective Inspector Sam Bennett, who led Operation Yamata, revealed how no guns were found on the men but digital forensic evidence sealed their fate.
“On average, firearms are linked to over a thousand offences on London’s streets each year. Many of the guns used are reactivated pistols, converted by criminal gangs and dealers.”
“Investigators used extensive digital evidence to bring these two offenders to justice. This meant they were able to secure convictions against both men, despite the fact that no guns were found on the defendants themselves.”
“These convictions send out a clear message that the illegal gun trade will not be tolerated in our city.”
Ongoing Firearms Crackdown Using Cutting-Edge Forensics
Operation Yamata began after specialist crime officers targeted the suspects in April 2023. Aram was arrested on 7 November 2023 and Guetfi followed on 4 January 2024. The case underscores the Met Police’s relentless crackdown on London’s deadly illegal gun market, using smart data and digital forensics to dismantle gangs who profit from violence.
