Police dog Chase
(Picture: Met Police)Two men have been jailed after a police sniffer dog led officers to an AK47 in south London.
Umar Pervez, 23, from Croydon, and Kyal Truong-Clarke, 25, of Beckenham, were both sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.
Both men were found guilty at the same court on conspiracy to transfer a firearm, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm and conspiracy to possess ammunition.
Truong-Clarke was also found guilty of possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Officers carried out an operation in south London on August 6 when they saw Pervez carrying a holdall on Mitcham Common.
He was subsequently stopped but was no longer in possession of the bag.
The holdall – containing an assault rifle, magazine and ammunition - was then sniffed out by police dog Chase.
The firearm was recovered and secured, while Pervez was arrested and taken into custody.
Further enquiries found he had been in contact with Truong-Clarke in the days leading up to the firearm being found, and that Truong-Clarke had made enquiries about how much he could sell the firearm for.
Detective Stephen Masterson, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: "I have no doubt that this weapon would have been used to kill or seriously injure somebody on the streets of London and I am pleased that we have removed that risk.
"Tackling violent crime is a top priority for the Met and we remain committed to doing all we can to keep the public safe. We have made significant progress in this area, with a 28 per cent drop in lethal barrel discharges compared with this time two years ago.
"The outcome of this investigation is testimony to the tireless work that detectives have put in to bringing these two men to justice. We will stop at nothing to dismantle organised crime groups and the supply of firearms and ammunition in London."
