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Former US marine Steven Greenoe 'smuggled guns' into UK | Former US marine Steven Greenoe 'smuggled guns' into UK |
(about 1 month later) | |
A gun used in a fatal shooting in the UK was smuggled into the country on a commercial flight by a former US Marine, a court has heard. | A gun used in a fatal shooting in the UK was smuggled into the country on a commercial flight by a former US Marine, a court has heard. |
Steven Greenoe, 37, bought weapons from American gun shops and hid the parts in his luggage, Liverpool Crown Court was told. | |
Steven Cardwell, 31, from Liverpool and Neil Copplestone, 32, from Ormskirk, are accused of selling the guns. | Steven Cardwell, 31, from Liverpool and Neil Copplestone, 32, from Ormskirk, are accused of selling the guns. |
They both deny charges relating to importing firearms. | They both deny charges relating to importing firearms. |
Greenoe is awaiting sentence in the US after being arrested at an American airport in July 2010. | Greenoe is awaiting sentence in the US after being arrested at an American airport in July 2010. |
The court heard he had bought 81 guns in North Carolina and that some of them were smuggled and used in "serious criminal offences" in the UK. | The court heard he had bought 81 guns in North Carolina and that some of them were smuggled and used in "serious criminal offences" in the UK. |
'Profitable trade' | 'Profitable trade' |
Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said forensic experts had proved guns bought by Greenoe were used in a fatal shooting, which cannot be reported on for legal reasons, an attempted murder in Manchester and an attempted robbery in Liverpool. | Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said forensic experts had proved guns bought by Greenoe were used in a fatal shooting, which cannot be reported on for legal reasons, an attempted murder in Manchester and an attempted robbery in Liverpool. |
The trial also heard undercover police officers in Liverpool bought three pistols which have been linked to Greenoe's US purchases. | The trial also heard undercover police officers in Liverpool bought three pistols which have been linked to Greenoe's US purchases. |
Mr Flewitt said the undercover officers paid about £3,600 per gun. | Mr Flewitt said the undercover officers paid about £3,600 per gun. |
He said: "By way of comparison, Steven Greenoe paid approximately £300 for each gun. | He said: "By way of comparison, Steven Greenoe paid approximately £300 for each gun. |
"It follows, therefore, that smuggling guns out of the US to sell to criminals in the UK is an extremely profitable trade." | "It follows, therefore, that smuggling guns out of the US to sell to criminals in the UK is an extremely profitable trade." |
Mr Flewitt said guns linked to Greenoe were discovered as part of Operation Newhaven on 25 February 2010, when covert police officers in Liverpool paid £10,800 for three Glock handguns. | Mr Flewitt said guns linked to Greenoe were discovered as part of Operation Newhaven on 25 February 2010, when covert police officers in Liverpool paid £10,800 for three Glock handguns. |
'Composite' firearm | 'Composite' firearm |
An attempted murder carried out in Cotefield Road, Manchester, when a man was shot in the leg, was also linked to the guns, the court heard. | An attempted murder carried out in Cotefield Road, Manchester, when a man was shot in the leg, was also linked to the guns, the court heard. |
The gun used in the shooting was never found but cartridges found at the scene match guns bought by Greenoe in America, the jury was told. | The gun used in the shooting was never found but cartridges found at the scene match guns bought by Greenoe in America, the jury was told. |
Mr Flewitt said a gun used in the attempted robbery of a Liverpool taxi driver on 2 March 2011 was forensically matched to two guns purchased by Greenoe in America and was in fact a "composite" firearm. | Mr Flewitt said a gun used in the attempted robbery of a Liverpool taxi driver on 2 March 2011 was forensically matched to two guns purchased by Greenoe in America and was in fact a "composite" firearm. |
Cardwell, of Old Church Close, Aintree, and Copplestone, of Ruff Lane, Ormskirk, both deny conspiracy to import, sell and possess prohibited firearms with intent to endanger life. | Cardwell, of Old Church Close, Aintree, and Copplestone, of Ruff Lane, Ormskirk, both deny conspiracy to import, sell and possess prohibited firearms with intent to endanger life. |
The trial is expected to last up to six weeks. | The trial is expected to last up to six weeks. |
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