Gun charges after ‘pistol and ammunition discovered during motorway stop’
Two men have been charged with firearms offences after a pistol and ammunition were allegedly discovered by officers during a motorway stop. Ricardo Thomas, 32, from Smethwick[1], and Akelle Charles, aged 32, from Wolverhampton, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court today, October 30.
West Midlands Police[2] said they were both charged with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. The pair were remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on November 27.
The arrests happened on Friday evening, October 27, near Warwick Services on the M40 southbound. The charges were brought by the force's Regional Organised Crime Unit.
POLL: Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this autumn[4]
A spokesperson said: "Operation Target sees us taking a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences – from drug dealing and burglary to cybercrime and fraud. Officers will be using local intelligence, seizing goods, carrying out warrants and targeting offenders as part of Op Target’s ongoing crackdown against serious and organised crime."
References
- ^ Smethwick (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Extra bus service after viral video showed people pushing and shoving to board double-decker (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this autumn (www.birminghammail.co.uk)