'Untouchable' gun gang leader jailed

This comes after a police operation exposed him as one of the West Midlands' most prolific illegal firearms dealers.

Nosakhere Stephenson – known to his contacts as 'Nosa' – is one of 18 men who were implicated in the supply of guns and ammunition following a West Midlands Police investigation. One of the other gang members was Theodore Junior Wiggan, from West Bromwich, who was jailed for 10 years.

They were all caught in a major undercover operation by the force's Serious and Organised Crime Unit with support from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).

The plan, which was set up in summer 2014, involved surveillance over many months and saw detectives intercept the movement of weapons from suppliers to buyers on five separate occasions. It resulted in the recovery of a total of eight firearms, including a MAC-10 machine gun and pump action shotgun found buried in a garden in Aston, as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Although Stephenson was never caught in possession of the guns, phone records linked him to each deal and every other person in the conspiracy – including his right-hand man, 32-year-old Sundish Nazran, from Nijon Close in Handsworth, who was jailed for 13 years.

Between them, the pair would source antique guns and arrange for ammunition to be specially made to fit the weapons. They would then be sold on to criminal gangs for considerable profit, at around £3,000 apiece.

Stephenson, Nazran, Wiggan and 13 others admitted conspiracy to transfer guns and ammunition between March 4, 2014 and January 17, 2015, while three others were found guilty following a trial.

Also sentenced on Thursday were Fitzroy Ducram, aged 50, of no fixed address – jailed for seven years and four months; Rowan Gul, 33, of Reginald Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham – jailed for 12 years and three months and Louis McDermott, 36, of no fixed address – jailed for nine years and four months.

Chief Inspector Simon Wallis, from West Midlands Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "This case goes to show, nobody is above the law.

"He tried his best to distance himself from his accomplices but through undercover surveillance work and extensive investigations into phone records we were able to prove he was at the centre of this highly-organised and extremely dangerous gun supply network.

"This result is fantastic because we've put some prolific criminals behind bars who have been responsible for bringing dangerous weapons to our city. It is no exaggeration to say each and every gun or bullet that we've seized represents a life potentially saved."

Ch Insp Wallis added: "Contrary to popular belief, there aren't a large number of guns or ammunition on the streets of Birmingham which is why this haul is particularly significant.

"We've made real progress over the last decade and cut gun and gang related crime massively. However, recent shootings in Birmingham – some of which have resulted in people losing their lives – highlight why it's important there's no let-up in our effort to rid the region of weapons."

He also warned: "If you're involved in the illegal supply of firearms in the West Midlands, you're risking a very hefty prison sentence and it's only a matter of time before my team catches up with you."

Eight more men are scheduled to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court this month with a further three being dealt with in January.