A major firearms operation centred on Leicestershire has led to six arrests and the recovery of a suspected 3D-printed gun, following a joint investigation involving the National Crime Agency and Leicestershire Police.
Officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit stopped a vehicle in Loughborough on Tuesday afternoon, where the 3D-printed firearm was discovered. The town became the focal point of the operation, with further activity unfolding across the surrounding area.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
At roughly the same time, officers executed a warrant at a separate address in Loughborough, seizing a blank-firing weapon believed to be easily convertible into a live firearm. Investigators also recovered materials suspected to have been used in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition.
The coordinated effort extended beyond Leicestershire, with a linked raid at a property in Solihull, where a 3D printer was seized as part of the investigation.
Five men, aged between 22 and 42, and a 44-year-old woman were arrested. All six suspects remain in custody in the West Midlands on suspicion of firearms offences.
Detective Superintendent Ryan Chambers, from the Major Crime Unit, described the operation as a significant success, highlighting the removal of what he called a “potentially lethal” weapon from the streets of Leicestershire.
He warned that while 3D-printed firearms are still relatively uncommon in the region, they are increasingly sought after by criminal groups due to their concealability and ease of production.
“This investigation shows our commitment to tackling gun crime wherever it occurs,” he said, noting that collaboration between regional forces and national agencies is essential in disrupting organised criminal networks.
The operation forms part of “Operation Target,” an ongoing initiative aimed at combating serious and organised crime. The programme focuses on offences including firearms trafficking, drug supply, money laundering and exploitation, with teams working around the clock to identify and apprehend those involved.
