Six people who conspired to sell ammunition to criminals were sentenced to jail at Croydon Crown Court today (May 30).

In total the group received 77.5 years jail time for a number of offences related to guns, ammunition and controlled substances.

Manfred Kurz, 61, of Ashburton Road, Croydon, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

He previously pleaded guilty on October 25, 2018 to two counts of possession of ammunition and possession of explosive substances and on November 1, 2018 to two counts of possession of firearms and possession of the component parts of a firearm.

Sierra Denton, 31, of Cromer Road, South Norwood, was jailed for nine years.

She previously pleaded guilty on November 9, 2018 to conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Lorenzo Brooks, 29, of Crutchley Road, Catford was jailed for 20 years. On March 13 he was found guilty of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and possession of component parts of a firearms.

Sian Alexandra Miller, 25, of Stanger Road, South Norwood was jailed for 15 years. On December 12, 2018 she was found guilty of conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition.

Lukas Duncan, 22, of Guildford Avenue, Surbiton was jailed for 15 years. On December 12, 2018 he was found guilty of conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition.

Mishak Wright-Martin, 34, of Kennington Park Road, Kennington, was jailed for 11 years. On December 12, 2018 he was found guilty of conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition.

Jamie Miller, 26, was meanwhile found not guilty.

The court previously heard how the crimes began when Mr Kurz, a German national and keen firearms enthusiast, moved to the UK in around 2004, having previously served with the German army.

Kurz had used his German firearms license to buy a huge amount of ammunition, which he subsequently smuggled into the UK.

The illegal ammunition later came to the notice of his niece Sian Miller.

Ms Miller and Mr Kurz then began to distribute the ammunition to contacts, for financial gain.

On February 5 2018, officers from Trident executed a firearms warrant at Ms Miller's home address and found 1,800 rounds of ammunition of varying calibres, two firearms (pistols) and five prohibited weapons (CS spray).

Detective Constable Martin Reader, of the Trident and Area Crime Command who worked on the case, said:

"I am pleased that these individuals have received very significant sentences, demonstrating the gravity of these offences.

"The recovery of this haul of ammunition and black powder represents one of the Met's largest-ever seizures of ammunition and explosive substances in recent times," he said.

DC reader added: "I believe the action of Met officers has saved lives and brought these people to justice, who put their own greed above the safety of their community."