Man guilty of firearms offences
23 February 2012
A man has today, Thursday 23 February, been convicted of drugs and firearms offences after police recovered a sub-machine gun and extensive equipment for the distribution of cannabis.
Zahid Ali, 22 (12.1.90) of Halley Road E7 was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
"Ali and Jaleel were an organised network with the ability to arm themselves."
On 24 August 2011 Ali was seen carrying out a drugs deal with Babbar Jaleel, 24, (18.10.87) in Thorpe Road, Forest Gate E7. He was stopped moments later by police and found to be in possession of large quantities of cannabis ready and packaged for sale on the streets of London.
Ali also had the keys to an abandoned Honda Accord in Sidney Road E7 - inside officers recovered a 9mm Luger sub-machine gun, loaded magazine, two silencers - one of which fitted the gun found - and ammunition.
Also in his possession were the keys to a Toyota Avensis, parked on Overton Drive, Wanstead E11, where on 21 August a large quantity of cannabis had been recovered.
A search of Jaleel's address in Thorpe Road, E7 recovered more cannabis worth in excess of £3,000, £11,000 cash and vast paraphernalia for the package and distribution of the drugs.
Ali had come to police attention when on 9 June 2011 he was seen on Derby Road E7 around the time that police executed a search warrant within residential premises. As a result of this search police found a loaded Baikal handgun and ammunition as well as drugs. Forensic evidence later linked Ali to the items found. The second silencer found on 24 August also fitted this firearm; the mix of ammunition was also the same as that recovered in August.
Both Ali and Babbar Jaleel were arrested on 24 August 2011 and were subsequently charged.
Babbar Jaleel, 24 (18.10.87) of Thorpe Road E7, was charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis. He admitted the charged at an earlier hearing.
The pair will be sentenced on March 16 at Inner London Crown Court.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Paul Palmer, from Trident, said: "We are pleased at today's convictions that have brought an end to the activities of Ali and Jaleel and resulted in a significant quantity of drugs and firearms taken off the streets.
"The cash and drugs recovered, along with the firearms, show Ali and Jaleel were a well-organised network with the ability to arm themselves to protect their assets."
- A sub-machine gun recovered from E7
- Ammunition recovered during the raid.