Man jailed following loaded firearms and ammunition seizure

A man has been jailed for five years after police seized two loaded firearms and ammunition at a property in Ancoats in February.

Laurentiu Puitau (aged 34), of Naval Street, Manchester, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today (Friday), after pleading guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon.

At around 7.30am on February 2, 2021, officers from GMP's Serious Crime Division raided a property on Naval Street.

On entering the property, police found Puitau sleeping in the front room.

A search led to the seizure of a rucksack hidden behind a TV containing two viable self-loading pistols, one of which was loaded with a number of rounds of ammunition.

Also recovered was a self-loading pistol magazine containing a number of rounds of ammunition, a sock containing 16 9mm rounds of ammunition and a sandwich bag of 16 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Puitau was arrested under caution at the scene before commenting to police: 'You moved quickly. I only brought them here two days ago."

He then gave a 'no comment' interview when taken to custody.

The warrant was part of a continued crackdown on the use and supply of firearms across the region seeing nearly 60 firearms taken off the streets of Greater Manchester in 2021.

Detective Inspector Rick Collins, from GMP's Serious Crime Division, said: "This is the latest successful development in our on-going crackdown on the use and supply of firearms on the streets of Greater Manchester.

"This conviction sends the message that possession and exchange of these weapons will not be tolerated.

"Our teams will continue to bring to seek out and bring to justice those who disregard the devastating effects these weapons can have.

"Our action in intercepting these weapons is an example of how information from the public can lead to us getting the intelligence we need to tackle suspects such as Puitau and ultimately bring them to justice.

"Make no mistake, this recovery was important when you consider that Puitau was storing a loaded gun and could’ve caused some serious damage and it is of great relief that he is now behind bars."

If you have any information about organised crime, contact police online, if able, via: www.gmp.police.uk or 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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