A FRAUDSTER who was part of a gang targeting vulnerable people across the south west has been jailed for more than five years.

Ernest Arthur, who appeared for sentencing at Kingston Crown Court yesterday was charged with possession of firearms, possession of heroin with intent to supply and money-laundering offences.

On May 5 this year he admitted possession of the ammunition but the drugs offence is to lie on file, while there was no separate sentence imposed for possession of a firearm.

He was jailed for five years for possession of prohibited ammunition and a further six months for breach of a suspended sentence, which are to run consecutively.

The 21-year-old was arrested in a dawn raid following an investigation by Zephyr – the south west’s regional organised crime unit.

Detectives from Zephyr and colleagues of the Metropolitan Police executed search warrants at a number of addresses in October in the capital as part of Operation Clarity – an investigation into fraud and money laundering which affected victims in the South West.

One of the search warrants was executed at the home of Ernest Arthur at 6am. He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.

During a search of the property officers discovered a large quantity of prohibited ammunition and heroin.

Among the ammunition were bullets for use in sniper rifles and machine guns as well as bullets that expand on impact, prohibited across the world since 1899.

Also found were a selection of smoke grenades, flash bangs and flares. DI Tony Hubbard of Zephyr said: “We are pleased with the result at court. Custodial sentences for this type of offence can only help to make our streets a safer place.

“This case has illustrated that fraud is not a victimless crime and that those involved are organised criminals involved in a whole array of illegal activity.

"We are committed to tackling organised crime that targets the most vulnerable in our society and will work with our partner agencies to pursue relentlessly, those involved in this abhorrent crime.

“Over the past 12 months victim losses in the South West for courier fraud type offences are in excess of £2m, accounting for some 700 reported crimes, although we suspect many incidents have not been reported to us,” said DI Hubbard.