Four friends have been found guilty after officers stormed a flat and found guns, cash, and drugs.
Acting on intelligence officers executed a warrant in Coxmoor Court, Top Valley, on 10 March 2021, believing there to be drugs inside the property.
Forcing the door to the flat, their suspicions were proved accurate as Class A drugs, and drug equipment including scales and deal bags were found inside.
Interrupting a coffee between Tobias Holmes who lived at the address and James King, officers were quick to arrest both men and on closer inspection seized phones and cash from both suspects.
It was then that a number of slam guns, shotgun cartridges, ammunition and a handgun were discovered.
Carrying out a full sweep of the flat officers found bullets in a drawstring bag and metal pipes and cartridges all capable of being put together to form at least three separate slam guns.
Thanks to DNA found on the poles after forensically analysing the weapons, investigating officers were then led straight to two other men who were later arrested.
Tobias Holmes, aged 33, of HMP Nottingham, was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.
James King, 65, of Townsend Court, Bestwood, was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm.
Ramari Blackwood, 23, of HMP Ranby, and Callum Arthur, 29, of no fixed address, were also charged with possession of a prohibited firearm.
Following a two-and-a-half-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court that concluded on Wednesday (15 February), all four men were found guilty and remanded in custody to await sentencing on 10 March 2023.
Detective Constable Rich Naylor, who led the case on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This has been an extremely in-depth investigation and a lengthy trial which I’m happy to say has resulted in all four suspects being found guilty.
“From the moment we forced the door to Holmes’ flat, acting on vital intelligence we’d received, we’ve conducted a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of who was responsible for having the dangerous weapons and drugs.
“I want to thank all of the people involved in this case for their help over the last two years resulting in this outcome at court.
“Most importantly I want to send a strong message to anyone who believes it is acceptable or mlegal  to have such weapons as a form of protection or even to contemplate using them, that this is simply not the case.
“Firearms have deadly consequences and bring a whole host of other criminality to neighbourhoods which is why we are so dedicated to doing everything we can to act on any reports and protect our communities.
“To anyone who believes they can possess such a weapon and drugs and that they’ll be able to go undetected – I hope this case shows that we won’t give up in hauling suspects in front of the courts no matter how much time has gone on or the complexity of the investigation.”
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