Seven charged in connection with importing guns

Seven people have now been charged as a result of a National Crime Agency investigation into the suspected importation of firearms in Kent.

Officers seized 22 automatic assault rifles, nine Skorpion machine pistols, 58 magazines, two silencers and around 1000 live rounds of ammunition following an operation on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 August.

Eight people – seven men and a woman all aged between 24 and 58 – were detained by the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit (AOU) and Kent Police Tactical Firearms Command. Three men and a woman were arrested near the A228 in Cuxton, while three men were detained at a location in Orpington and one at an address in Swanley. The man arrested at Swanley has been released on bail. The others have been charged with importing and possessing firearms.

The guns were seized in holdalls and a suitcase, which also contained numerous magazines and ammunition, from a van as it left Cuxton Marina. It followed the arrival of the MV Albernina, a motor cruiser, which had travelled to the UK from France. The operation to track the vessel involved the NCA working closely with Border Force and the National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC).

The seven have been remanded in custody and are expected to appear via video link at Medway Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday 14 August. They are:

• David Kenneth PAYNE, DOB 28/08/1972, Rochester Road, Halling, Rochester

• Jennifer Katherine ARTHY, 16/11/1973, Rochester Road, Halling, Rochester

• John Stephen SMALE, 27/04/1957, Rochester Road, Halling, Rochester

• Christopher John OWEN, 23/09/1985, Bush Road, Cuxton, Rochester

• Harry David SHILLING, 11/04/1993, 78 Hart Dyke Road, Swanley

• Michael George DEFRAINE, 03/10/1985, Franklin Road, Bexleyheath

• Richard RYE, 06/06/1991, Lime Road, Swanley

• A 28-year-old man from Swanley has been released on bail pending further enquiries until 24 September.