Fife man convicted of importing illegal firearm and ammunition from USA

A man was convicted on Thursday, 17 June, of two offences under the Firearms Act 1968 following a multi-agency investigation by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland); a specialist team of Police Scotland and National Crime Agency (NCA) officers.

Jack Whittle pled guilty to the charges at the High Court in Edinburgh which also included drugs offences after large quantities of cocaine and ecstasy were found within his address.

The 25-year-old, from Buckhaven, was subject to a police investigation in early 2021, after a gun and ammunition were intercepted within the US Federal postal system by US Homeland Security in America.

The viable Glock 19 handgun and magazine, as well as 150 rounds of live ammunition, was addressed to Whittle in Fife.

On 2 February, 2021, a search warrant was executed at his address and he was found to have taken receipt of the package. He was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the offences.

Detective Inspector Tom Gillan of the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland) said: “The illegal acquisition and possession of firearms will not be tolerated in Scotland and any such crime will be thoroughly investigated. The public can be reassured that the OCP will use all available means to remove threat, risk and harm from the communities of Scotland posed by organised crime. This also underlines our collective commitment to Scotland's Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.

“I would like to thank our law enforcement partner agencies for all assistance provided during this investigation and would urge anyone with information surrounding illegal firearms to contact Police Scotland or Crimestoppers anonymously.”

John Brown, Operations Manager at the National Crime Agency, said: “The NCA works relentlessly to prevent criminals gaining access to firearms, and to pursue those who use them to bring violence and intimidation to communities.

“This operation has seen a dangerous weapon taken out of circulation and is yet another great example of the NCA and Police Scotland working side by side to keep the public safe.”

The Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland) is a covert investigation team comprising of officers and staff from Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency.

Whittle is due to be sentenced at a later date.