GANGLAND LONDON: Three firearms seized and four men arrested as net closes on Eastern European OCG

FOUR men have been arrested and three firearms seized as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) in the East End of London. All four men, suspected members of the OCG, were arrested by NCA officers supported by the Met Police on Monday, October 12, in the Isle of Dogs area of east London. Officers recovered a self-loading pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition in a car linked to one of the suspects. Two hand guns with a further 14 rounds of ammunition were also recovered hidden in the garden of a property on Claire Place.

LOADED: A magazine found with one of the firearms (NCA)

Two of the men, Artem Kuts, 38, and Alexander Georgiev,26, have since been charged with firearms possession offences. They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court.

The other two men, aged 39 and 30, have been released under investigation. Andrea Wilson, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “We believe these men may be linked to a dangerous criminal group involved in various types of criminality, including firearms dealing and drug supply.” “These are criminals motivated by financial gain, with no regard for the human lives they are exploiting and exposing to serious violence. “The NCA’s core mission is to protect the public from such threats and our investigation into this crime group remains ongoing.”