Wolverhampton Teen Guilty Of Attempting To Import Explosives

8 November 2017, 15:52 | Updated: 8 November 2017, 15:56

A teenager who tried to import explosives from the dark web has been found guilt at Birmingham Crown Court.

Gurtej Randhawa, 19, expected the explosives to be delivered to him last May. 

However the National Crime Agency intervened and replaced it with a dummy device. 

Officers watched him test it before arresting him on suspicion of "attempting to possess an explosive substance with intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life".

Randhawa had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to import explosives.

He will be held in custody and face sentencing on 12 January. 

Tim Gregory from the NCA’s said: “The explosive device Randhawa sought to purchase online had the potential to cause serious damage and kill many people if he had been successful in using it.

“He was not involved in an organised crime group or linked to terrorism, but is clearly an individual who poses a significant risk to the community.

“Identifying people like Randhawa – who seek to access illegal firearms and weapons – is a priority for the NCA and we will not stop in our efforts to make sure they are arrested and held accountable for their actions”.

Two women - aged 18 and 45 were also arrested but released without charge.  

The NCA has said the investigation was not linked to terrorism.