Underworld Arms Dealer Sentenced for Gang Supply and Terrorist Conspiracy
A clandestine weapons manufacturer who supplied criminal gangs with homemade firearms and explosives has been jailed for 16 years after police uncovered his plot to launch violent attacks against Muslim immigrants. Thomas McKenna, 60, operated an illegal weapons workshop from a caravan at Britain's largest traveller camp in South Ockendon, Essex.
Prolific Criminal Enterprise Uncovered
McKenna's operation involved converting blank-firing pistols into working firearms alongside his partner, Tina Smith, 55. The Metropolitan Police reported that since his arrest, there has been a significant decrease in converted firearms appearing in London shootings, highlighting the scale of his criminal enterprise.
However, police investigations revealed McKenna was not merely supplying gangs but actively planning his own violent campaign. Chilling text messages showed he wanted to "go to war" against what he described as "Muslims, the immigrants and so on."
Chilling Messages Reveal Terrorist Intent
Electronic devices seized by police contained numerous messages sent via TikTok, Facebook, and Signal in which McKenna exhorted associates to arm themselves for what he termed a "race war." In one October 2023 message, he wrote: "Bro we have to fight them now, before they are too many."
Subsequent messages revealed escalating rhetoric. By January 2024, McKenna declared: "We must go to war and win, brother. I understand war is all we have now. Protesting and all the other s*** is gone, only killing is left." In February, he added: "We need to start killing them bro and now" and "Gonna do a bunch of killin bro."
Smith also participated in the messages, writing in July: "They all wrong ons they all need hanging." McKenna referred to Muslims using derogatory terms and spoke of "neutralising the muzzies" in August communications.
Weapons Stockpile and Explosives Factory
When police raided the site on November 8, 2024, they discovered a sophisticated weapons manufacturing operation. Officers found two homemade bombs in a jug by the dining table, with another 34 fish baiters ready for explosive loading. More than 2kg of precursor chemicals were seized alongside manufacturing equipment including a lathe, pillar drills, welding equipment, and spray paint cans.
The haul included a replica AK-47 assault rifle, a replica Sten sub-machine gun, and a guidebook for building working Sten guns from scratch. McKenna had been advising associates to purchase crossbows in preparation for his envisioned conflict.
Connection to Notorious Criminal Network
The investigation began six months earlier when police identified Faisal Razzaq, 44, as a key link in supplying reactivated firearms. Razzaq had previously been jailed for life with a minimum 11-year term for his role as getaway driver in the 2005 killing of PC Sharon Beshenivsky during a Bradford travel agency robbery.
After his 2017 release, Razzaq re-established himself in arms supply under the cover of Flexible Hire Contracts, a luxury car hire company in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Police launched Operation Eatchief in May 2024 to dismantle this network.
Widespread Criminal Network Unraveled
Surveillance operations revealed weapons were being handled by brothers Ricky and Robert Dorey, with Razzaq assisted by Abdul Rahman Saleh, 32, from Edgware. Messages showed Razzaq advising Saleh to shoot at police if detained to facilitate escape.
Further investigations led to Allan Crosby, 44, who ran Sterling Sports and Prestige car business in Kent with associate Ryan Smith, 44. Police raids uncovered more converted weapons and hollow point ammunition at their premises.
In total, 11 individuals were convicted of selling or possessing firearms converted by McKenna. The network included Tammy Rigg, 39, who stored weapons, and Patrick Loughnane, 59, who facilitated communications between network members.
Sentencing and Police Response
McKenna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell prohibited firearms and ammunition, while Smith admitted possession of a prohibited firearm. Both also pleaded guilty to making explosives and possessing documents useful for terrorism, though they denied planning a terrorist attack.
Detective Chief Inspector James Tipple of the Met's specialist crime command stated: "McKenna was quite clearly a very significant risk which escalated over a number of years. It's very worrying to think what actual use he intended."
Crosby admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and was found guilty of firearm possession. Ryan Smith was convicted of firearm and ammunition offenses. Razzaq and five other men await sentencing next month following their convictions.
