A man who was caught in possession of a sawn-off shotgun with 40 cartridges has admitted a firearms offence following a specialist police operation.

Tyler Tanner, of Henderson Drive, Dartford , pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm at Woolwich Crown Court.

The 23-year-old has been travelling in a white transit van driven by another man, aged 27, on June 17, the court heard.

They drove to a cul-de-sac in Longfield where they parked up and Tanner left the vehicle.

A few minutes later he returned to the van carrying an orange plastic carrier bag and got back into the front passenger seat.

The pair drove away but were followed by specialist officers who, with the support of armed police, tracked the van before stopping it nearby in Meopham.

During a search of the van officers found an orange carrier bag in the front passenger footwell and inside a firearm with two barrels, as well as around 40 shotgun cartridges.

The firearm was made safe and sent off for testing, which later confirmed it was a sawn-off shotgun.

Tanner and the driver were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken to a south London police station where Tanner was charged later that day. The 27-year-old was later released and no further action was taken against him.

Following a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court Tanner pleaded guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun and will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, December 14.

Detective Inspector Stephen Masterson, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said:“This investigation led to a dangerous weapon being taken off the streets.

"Each shotgun cartridge seized had the terrifying potential to seriously injure or kill.

“Tackling violence remains the Met’s top priority. Taking firearms off the streets, stopping the supply and transporting of guns and identifying criminals who have access to dangerous weapons forms a key part of that commitment.

“However, we cannot tackle this issue alone and we rely on the support of the local community.

"I’d urge anyone who may have information about violent crime to contact the police or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.”

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