Pair jailed for attempting to import handgun in post from US
Two drug dealers have been jailed for attempting to import a handgun in the post from Florida.
Colly McNeil, 48, from south London, and Keston Redhead, 35, an asylum seeker from Trinidad and Tobago, were found guilty of importation of a firearm and conspiracy to import class A drugs following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The pistol, intercepted by Border Force on July 27, 2023, was hidden inside a metallic sade box along with two empty 9mm magazines.
The NCA said the pair used false names on the shipping label to avoid being detected, while the delivery address turned out to be for a derelict property in south London.
Messages on their phones later revealed both men were involved in importing the handgun, as well as class A drugs, from the USA and Trinidad.
McNeil and Redhead appeared at Kingston Crown Court today where they were jailed for 17 years following a seven-week trial.
Redhead will be deported after serving his sentence.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Chris Hill said: "Colly and Redhead conspired to import harmful drugs and a self-loading pistol into the UK, using false names and delivery addresses in their attempt to evade detection.
"Our successful investigation has resulted in the seizure of a deadly firearm and class A drugs, and the imprisonment of two organised criminals.
"The impact of gun and drug crime on our communities is devastating. We are committed to stopping the availability of lethal weapons to the criminal underworld and intercepting drugs before they reach street-level dealers".
The NCA found the package had been shipped from the USA and was being tracked using its unique shipping number by McNeil’s IP address, which was linked to his home in the Streatham area.
Five days after the gun was seized, officers from the Organised Crime Partnership observed McNeil leave his flat with Redhead.
Both men then got into McNeil’s car and drove to meet a delivery driver, taking receipt of a parcel from him.
They were stopped by officers and the parcel they had collected was found to contain half a kilo of cocaine concealed within a wooden desk organiser, which had been imported from Trinidad.
Colly and Redhead were arrested at the scene.
Following their arrest, a search was conducted of McNeil’s flat where a samurai sword, machete and crossbow were found in his bedroom.
Officers also seized eight kilos of cannabis and drug supply paraphernalia including a mechanical press and weighing scales.
Specialist Prosecutor Caroline Hughes of the CPS said: "Keston Redhead and McNeil Colly compromised public safety by importing drugs and a firearm into the country.
"Thanks to the work of the National Crime Agency after the gun was seized at Stansted Airport, we were able to build a strong case against them which proved their crucial roles in arranging the importation of class A drugs and a firearm into the UK resulting in their convictions following a trial".
