Pair due in court on Monday after weapons seized in France following joint operation by National Crime Agency and Met police

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Two men have been charged with smuggling firearms after cross-border law enforcement seized 79 guns from a UK-bound van in Coquelles, France.

The haul of 4mm and 6mm handguns and ammunition was found hidden in specially adapted engine blocks in the yellow Mercedes vehicle on 1 July, the National Crime Agency said.



The van was stopped before it entered the Channel tunnel after intelligence from ongoing investigations suggested the importation was imminent.

Detectives have said they have “no doubt” the weapons were headed for the streets of London.

Janusz Michek, 59, a Polish national, and Denis Kolencukov, 23, originally from the Czech Republic but living in Slough, have been charged in connection with the discovery. They will appear at Uxbridge magistrates court on Monday. A property in Slough was searched as part of the inquiry.



Graham Gardner, the NCA’s deputy director of investigations, said: “While we are in the early stages of our investigation, I believe these weapons were intended for criminal use in either London or across the UK and it goes without saying the risk they would have posed to the public.”

The operation was a joint effort between the NCA and officers from the NCA-Metropolitan Police Organised Crime Partnership.

DCS Michael Gallagher added: “I have no doubt that a number of these weapons were destined for the streets of London, where they would have caused misery and unspeakable damage to the community.”