Nathan Paul: Northern Ireland man avoids jail after importing weapons from Spain

Nathan Paul, of Glenshane Road, Castledawson, was given a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, suspended for three years.

The 32-year-old was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in December 2019 after dozens of weapons and three stun guns were found during a search of his home.

On January 26, 2024, he pleaded guilty at Londonderry Crown Court to two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and one count of selling a firearm in the UK before sentencing on Friday.

Investigators discovered that Paul was buying weapons, including 32 firearms, from a website in Spain and selling them online for a profit.

Weapons classified as front-firing, blank-vented (FVBF) can be converted to fire live cartridges and are illegal in the UK.

Paul posted an ad online advertising the gun.

The officers managed to link it to courier orders placed after the sale.

Following information from the NCA, police recovered another five weapons.

NCA Squad Commander David Cunningham said: “As a result of this operation, the NCA confiscated a significant number of weapons from Paul, who was selling these illegal items for profit to online buyers.

“Our cooperation with armed forces across the UK has also led to the prosecution of others who bought weapons from Paul.

“The NCA will continue to work with partners in the UK and internationally to prevent the import of dangerous weapons and reach those who could use them to commit further crimes and cause serious harm.”

The national authority and the Guardia Civil, which has jurisdiction over national firearms control in Spain, have been working together since 2019 on the Vizardlike project to combat this threat.

Over 703 firearms were recovered in the UK, leading to 74 arrests and 51 convictions.a

The National Competition Authority also raided 133 premises in the UK.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Avine Kelly, from the Organized Crime Squad, said: “Illegal firearms are synonymous with violence. In the hands of organized criminal groups, they bring fear, intimidation and control.

“This acquisition, together with today’s proposal, is a positive step towards keeping people safe and a great example of working in partnership.

“I would appeal to anyone with information or concerns about illegally possessed firearms to contact us on 101.”

PPS deputy director Martin Hardy added: “PPS worked closely with the National Crime Agency throughout the investigation to build a strong prosecution case which resulted in a guilty plea.

“An experienced senior prosecutor examined a large amount of evidence presented to the PPS and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to robustly prosecute firearms offenses where the criteria for prosecution are met.”