Moment armed police in Selly Oak swoop on underworld gun gang

This is the moment armed police swooped on a car before a Birmingham gang could sell a gun in exchange for stolen vehicles in an underworld deal. Convicted Lozells murderer Teeko Le, 21, masterminded the deal from prison using a smuggled mobile phone - but the plan was busted and five people have been jailed.

The group planned to meet a man from London to sell the gun in exchange for two stolen cars. But firearms officers were waiting for the men as they waited to make the deal in a Ford Fiesta on Dawlish Road in Selly Oak on August 9.

In the back of the car was a blank firing gun which had been converted into a live-firing weapon, and ten live rounds of ammunition. In the Fiesta were Dillon Cordova, 18, Furrukh Khan, 25, Ishmail Kaseba, 24, and a boy who is now 17.

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The man from London was Drew Neale, 21, who was on a nearby road waiting for the deal to take place when he was arrested.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, November 1, Le, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell the gun and ammunition. It will start at the end of the minimum 20-year term he is serving for murder.

Previously Le shot dead a 'sitting duck' gang rival during a noon gun battle in Lozells. The then-18-year-old killed unarmed Naasir Francis, 22, by shooting him at almost point-blank range in August 2020.

Kaseba, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight years and six months after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell the gun and ammunition. Khan, of Rocky Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and seven months for the same offences, and also possession of a shotgun which was found at his home.

Neale, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years and eight months for being involved in the sale of the gun and ammunition, and also handling stolen goods. While the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was committed to a young offenders institution for three years for firearms and ammunition sale offences.

Cordova was convicted at trial earlier this year but failed to appear for sentencing and is now wanted by officers. Speaking after the case, Det Insp Amar Patel, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: “Had we not intervened when we did, this gun would have been handed over and been used in further criminality – to threaten or harm others.

“The gun had DNA of Khan and Cordova on it, along with that of the 17-year-old. We will relentlessly pursue those involved in gun crime in the West Midlands, and ensure they are brought to justice.”

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