A MAN who operated a workshop converting blank firing pistols into lethal firearms from his home in Smethwick has been jailed.

Officers from the National Crime Agency’s Armed Operations Unit raided 50-year-old Alireza Nowbakht’s property in Mallin Street on December 22, 2022. 
He had purchased seven of the weapons online from a legitimate supplier and had them delivered to a nearby address.

NCA officers had Nowbakht under surveillance as he picked up the consignment and took them back to his home.

Inside, in an upstairs bedroom, they found the makeshift workshop, including machining tools used to convert the guns, a viable weapon, live rounds of ammunition and ammunition casings.

Nowbakht also had a stolen VW Tiguan parked outside.

Halesowen News: NCA officers raided the workshop. NCA officers raided the workshop. (Image: NCA.)

The car had been taken from nearby Wednesbury 12 days prior and had been disguised with cloned number plates.

After being interviewed by NCA officers he was charged with possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition and theft of a motor car.

Halesowen News: Alireza Nowbakht’s workshop.Alireza Nowbakht’s workshop. (Image: NCA.)

Nowbakht admitted the charges and following a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, July 10 he was sentenced to five years in prison.

NCA regional head of investigations Kay Mellor said: “Alireza Nowbakht was purchasing blank firers and converting them into lethal weapons.

Halesowen News: A seized firearm.A seized firearm. (Image: NCA.)

“He was clearly engaged in putting these weapons into the criminal supply chain in the West Midlands.

“As well as seizing illegal firearms currently in circulation, we will continue to prevent these weapons from making it onto the streets where they are used in acts of serious violence.”