Huge haul of weapons found at Essex farm

27 March 2019, 15:37 | Updated: 27 March 2019, 15:39

A haul of weapons - including machine guns, Ak47 assault rifles and grenades - have been seized by police following early morning raids at a farm in South Ockendon.

A haul of weapons - including machine guns, AK47 assault rifles and grenades - have been seized by police following early morning raids at a farm in South Ockendon.

Officers from the Met's East Area Crime Squad executed search warrants of 70 shipping containers at Bretts Farm, Romford Road, RM15 on Tuesday.

The warrant formed part of a proactive operation led by the East Area Crime Squad with assistance of colleagues from Trident Gang's and Area Crime Command.

Specialist firearms officers from Essex Police also supported the operation.

Officers recovered three AK47 assault rifles, one submachine gun, two shotguns, one revolver, one self-loading pistol, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and 22 grenades from one container.

A large number of stolen vehicles, several kilos of Class A drugs and a cannabis farm were found in other containers on the farm.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives with intent to endanger life and taken to a central London police station, where he currently remains.

Detective Chief Inspector James Harper of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "I have no doubt that removing these weapons from circulation has prevented death or serious injury. Trident officers will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and detect such criminality."

Officers remain at the scene and enquiries continue.

This incident is not being treated as terrorist related.