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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Lucinda Cameron

Man who hid Russian and Japanese guns in shipping container at British marina jailed

Officers found the firearms when they searched the metal shipping container Robert Weir was renting - (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)/PA Wire)

A man has been jailed for more than seven years after concealing a cache of firearms in a shipping container.

Robert Weir, 56, was sentenced following a police search of a storage unit at Sandpoint Marina in Dumbarton in March 2025.

Officers discovered a loaded, shortened Russian-made shotgun, a loaded Japanese shotgun, and two handguns with ammunition.

Weir admitted multiple firearms offences at the High Court in Glasgow.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing 1.7kg of cannabis with a street value of £17,202 at his home.

Weir was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison at the court on Friday, the Crown Office said.

Prosecutor Sineidin Corrins, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “This was an important recovery of weapons that had the potential to cause significant harm.

Officers discovered a loaded, shortened Russian-made shotgun, a loaded Japanese shotgun, and two handguns with ammunition (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)/PA Wire)

“These weapons have now been taken out of commission and Robert Weir will spend a lengthy time in prison as a consequence of his crimes.

“This case underlines our commitment to continue working with the police and other agencies to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”

Prosecutors said police attended the storage unit after a search of Weir’s home earlier in the day found cannabis in four vacuum-sealed bags, digital scales and two swords.

Officers found the firearms when they searched the metal shipping container Weir was renting.

The Crown Office said forensic analysis of the Russian shotgun showed it was in working order and was designed to discharge 16-bore shotgun cartridges.

The Japanese shotgun was constructed to discharge 12-bore cartridges and was constituted as a firearm.

Weir’s DNA was found on a number of the weapons, prosecutors said.

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