Alleged gun runner brought back to UK from Spain over major firearms probe

A suspect in a major probe that has seen AK47s and sub-machine guns removed from the streets has been brought back to the UK.
By Sean Gleaves
Published 19th Dec 2020, 12:33 BST
Updated 19th Dec 2020, 12:36 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Robert Brazendale, of Warrington, Cheshire, was extradited from Spain on Thursday night (December 17), three months after his arrest on the Costa del Sol.

The 33-year-old appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Friday (December 18) where he was remanded to custody.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on January 15, 2021.

He has been accused of acting in a conspiracy with others to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Neil Gardner, NCA operations manager, said: "The extradition of Brazendale has once again shown excellent collaboration between the NCA and Spanish National Police.

"As part of this investigation, we have removed some of the most deadly firearms and ammunition that exist from the streets of the UK communities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We will continue to target offenders who bring firearms into our communities."

Brazendale was arrested in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in October on a European Arrest Warrant.Brazendale was arrested in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in October on a European Arrest Warrant.
Brazendale was arrested in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in October on a European Arrest Warrant.

The National Crime Agency investigation that led to his arrest was sparked by the mass-hack of the encrypted messaging service EncroChat.

It led to the recovery of an AK47 from a property in Warrington in April, then the discovery of Uzi and Skorpion sub-machine guns, ammunition, £180,000 in cash and a kilogram of cocaine in London.

In June an AK47 was discovered at an address in Manchester and a stash of guns and ammunition was dug up from a garden in Warrington last month.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here.