Arms-dealer jailed after sting

10:02am Tuesday 13th February 2001

“A SOPHISTICATED and well-planned operation” by undercover police officers led to a big-time arms dealer being jailed for eight-and-a-half years, at Croydon Crown Court last week.

Deputy Circuit Judge Michael Devonshire told Mark Stone, aged 34, of Hardy Avenue, Gravesend, he “was obviously experienced in the arms trade” after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply prohibited firearms and drug possession. Prosecuting, Mark Gadsden said police infiltrated the gun-running enterprise and had several meetings with Stone in south London and Kent.

Mr Gadsden said: “Stone was an established arms dealer with considerable knowledge of the products he was selling.

“He made it clear that, in the market-place in which they were working, old guns were preferable because they killed as effectively and could not be traced so easily as new ones.

In his defence, Anthony Jennings told the court Stone was being made to “carry the can” for others.

Stone received eight years for the gun offences and six months on drugs charges after admitting possession of amphetamine and cannabis.

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