Moment when armed police attack gangs selling weapons in deal masterminded by prison cell killer using smuggled mobile phone

This is the dramatic moment armed police attacked a gang selling weapons in a deal masterminded by a killer behind bars.

Three men and a 17-year-old boy from Birmingham were about to swap the gun for two stolen cars with a criminal from London when they were intercepted by officers on August 9 last year.

Detectives got wind of the meeting and swooped on the gang as they were parked in a Ford Fiesta in Selly Oak, a residential area in south-west Birmingham that is home to thousands of students in the city.

The raid, carried out as part of Operation Target, saw four men and a teenager jailed.

Police searched the vehicle and found an empty firearm in the back seat that had been converted into an live weapon. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition.

Moment when armed police attack gangs selling weapons in deal masterminded by prison cell killer using smuggled mobile phone

Moment when armed police attack gangs selling weapons in deal masterminded by prison cell killer using smuggled mobile phone

This is the dramatic moment armed police attacked a gang selling guns in Selly Oak, Birmingham

Dillon Cordova

Dillon Cordova Furrukh Khan

Furrukh Khan

Dillon Cordova (left) did not appear for sentencing, while Furrukh Khan (right) was jailed for seven years

Ismail Kaseba

Ismail Kaseba Drew Neale

Drew Neale

Kaseba (left) was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Meanwhile, Neale (right) was jailed for six years and eight months

Teeko Le masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone, police revealed

Teeko Le masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone, police revealed

Teeko Le masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone, police revealed

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17 were all in the Ford Fiesta.

London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested as he waited in a nearby road.

Detectives discovered convicted killer Teeko Le, 21, masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled cell phone.

The gang was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

Le, who had no fixed address, was jailed for six years after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell the gun and ammunition.

It starts at the end of the 20-year minimum term he is serving for murder.

Le was 17 years old when he shot 22-year-old Naasir Francis after a confrontation in the Lozells area of ​​Birmingham in August 2020.

Mr Francis was unarmed and tried to get away but was killed by Le using an automatic pistol – possibly a Glock weapon – in broad daylight.

Dillon Cordova is arrested as police rush into a Ford Fiesta to arrest gang members in possession of firearms

Dillon Cordova is arrested as police rush into a Ford Fiesta to arrest gang members in possession of firearms

Dillon Cordova is arrested as police rush into a Ford Fiesta to arrest gang members in possession of firearms

Ishmail Kaseba is pulled from the vehicle and pinned to the ground by officers in Selly Oak

Ishmail Kaseba is pulled from the vehicle and pinned to the ground by officers in Selly Oak

Ishmail Kaseba is pulled from the vehicle and pinned to the ground by officers in Selly Oak

This was the gun recovered from the Ford Fiesta during 'Operation Target' police sting

This was the gun recovered from the Ford Fiesta during 'Operation Target' police sting

This was the gun recovered from the Ford Fiesta during ‘Operation Target’ police sting

Police searched the vehicle and found an empty firearm in the back seat that had been converted into an live weapon. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition

Police searched the vehicle and found an empty firearm in the back seat that had been converted into an live weapon. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition

Police searched the vehicle and found an empty firearm that had been converted into an edged weapon in the back seat. They also discovered ten live rounds of ammunition

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17 were all in the Ford Fiesta. London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested as he waited in a nearby road

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17 were all in the Ford Fiesta. London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested as he waited in a nearby road

Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17 were all in the Ford Fiesta. London-based gang member Drew Neale, 21, was arrested as he waited in a nearby road

Kaseba, who had no fixed address, was jailed for eight and a half years after being found guilty of the same offences.

Khan, of Rocky Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and seven months for the same offences, as well as for possessing a shotgun found at his home.

Neale, who was of no fixed address, was jailed for six years and eight months for being involved in the sale of weapons and ammunition, and dealing with stolen goods.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders institution for three years for offenses involving the sale of firearms and ammunition.

Cordova was convicted at trial earlier this year but failed to show up for sentencing and is being hunted by police.

Detective Inspector Amar Patel, from the Regional Organized Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: ‘If we had not acted when we did, this weapon would have been transferred and used for further crime – to threaten or harm others.

“The gun contained DNA from Khan and Cordova, along with that of the 17-year-old.

“We will relentlessly pursue those involved in gun crime in the West Midlands and ensure they are brought to justice.”