FIVE people have been charged with firearms possession following two police operations in Coventry.
Officers say it is part of ongoing attempts to tackle suspected links to drugs and guns.
Officers executed a warrant at an address in Holbrooks on Thursday (May 7) and allegedly found a ‘viable handgun’ in an outbuilding.
Callum Hyde was arrested in connection with the incident and later charged with firearms possession and cultivating a cannabis farm at his home in Langlodge Road.
The 32-year-old was also charged with abstracting electricity and appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court on Saturday (May 9).
He was remand in prison ahead of his next court appearance.
The following day, five people were arrested after armed police intercepted two vehicles in Caradoc Close.
A homemade ‘slam gun’ and ammunition were recovered, police said.
Four of the five were charged with possessing a firearm.
They are Jamar Knole (30), Paul Gordon (27) – both from Coventry – and Jiguael Botamba (20) from Nuneaton, plus a 17-year-old from Coventry who can’t be named for legal reasons.
All four have now appeared at Coventry Magistrates and were remanded in prison.
West Midlands Police added: “A 45-year-old man who was arrested at the same time has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
“We recently bolstered the specialist unit targeting suspected drug and gang offenders in Coventry and are urging people to support our efforts.
“Information from the public is crucial in our fight against drug dealing and associated crime; we would urge anyone who has suspicions about drug dealing to contact us via Live Chat at our website or anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
