Thomas Kavanagh plots gun scheme from jail to reduce sentence

In the UK, a plot orchestrated by organized crime boss Thomas Kavanagh was revealed during a court hearing at the Old Bailey. From HMP Dovegate prison, Kavanagh, alongside his associate and brother-in-law, devised a scheme to mislead police into thinking they were aiding law enforcement by revealing a stash of illegal firearms. Between January 2020 and June 2021, the group intended to procure a significant number of weapons, including machine guns and an assault rifle, from various countries. The National Crime Agency (NCA) acted on information provided by Kavanagh, leading to the discovery of 11 firearms hidden in a field in Newry. However, the NCA's investigation efforts were greatly enhanced by encrypted communications intercepted from EncroChat, which provided evidence against the criminals. Kavanagh, who was already facing serious drug charges and has a previous conviction for weapon possession, hoped that helping recover the firearms would lead to a reduced sentence in his drug smuggling case. Yet, the prosecution argued that Kavanagh and his associates had no legitimate intention of assisting authorities and were instead attempting to further their criminal activities. As they await sentencing, which is expected to occur soon, the case illustrates the serious nature of organized crime in the UK and highlights the complexities of law enforcement efforts against such operations, particularly when criminals attempt to manipulate the system to their advantage.