3D-printed gun recovered as six arrested

We’ve recovered a 3D-printed firearm and arrested six people in a major operation with our officers working alongside the National Crime Agency as part of a joint investigation supported by Leicestershire Police.

The weapon was recovered from a car which was stopped by officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit in Loughborough, Leicestershire, yesterday afternoon.

At around the same time, a blank-firer which is believed to have been readily convertible into a live-firing weapon was seized at an address in the Loughborough area, along with material used in the production of weapons and ammunition. The operation also saw a raid at a property in Solihull yesterday, where we recovered a 3D printer.

Those arrested were five men aged between 22 and 42, and a woman aged 44.

All remain in custody in the West Midlands today on suspicion of firearms offences.

Det Supt Ryan Chambers, from our Major Crime Unit, said: "This is a fantastic collaborative result and has seen a potentially lethal 3D-printed firearm taken off the streets, along with another gun which could easily have been converted to fire live ammunition.

"While still rare in the region, 3D-printed guns are deadly and a valuable commodity among criminals.

"This joint investigation between West Midlands Police and the NCA is targeted towards firearms related criminality and shows that we will operate beyond the West Midlands where necessary to protect the public from the harm that gun crime causes in the region."

It's all part of Operation Target, our 24/7 mission to tackle serious and organised crime across the region.

Investigators and specialist teams target those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation. 

Find out more 👉 Operation Target | West Midlands Police