The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested Jack Downend, 21, and Richard Jawadnass, 22, after an ‘intelligence-led’ operation caught them attempting to acquire an explosive substance with intent to endanger life.
After their capture, NCA investigators discovered communications on their phone in which they discussed purchasing weapons to resolve a dispute with another drug dealer. They arranged shipment of the explosives to an address in Wakefield.
Both had tried to purchase M67 fragmentation grenades online.
According to the NCA, Jawadnass stated in a conversation that he wanted to “whack my man bad,” while Downend advised him not to hurry, stating “move smart with it…needs to be done properly.”
After a six-day trial at Leeds Crown Court, Jawadnass pled guilty to the charge, and Downend was found convicted on May 2 of the same year.
NCA Branch Operations Manager Nigel Coles said: “There is no excuse for trying to obtain deadly weapons of this kind, and it is clear that Downend and Jawadnass were aware their actions were entirely illegal.
“The quick arrest of these men by officers ensured that vital evidence was secured and was able to form the basis of this successful prosecution and imprisonment of these dangerous individuals.”
They will both be sentenced on July 10.
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