Man jailed after a handgun recovered in his house

A man has been sentenced to 12-months in prison after an
illegal firearm was seized by police at his home in Midlothian.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the Organised Crime
Partnership (OCP) executed a warrant at a home in Arbuthnot Road, Loanhead.

Steven Seaton, now aged 46, was arrested and charged after a
9mm handgun was recovered from his bedroom.

He has since pled guilty to importing and possessing a
prohibited weapon and has been sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to one year
in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Naysmith of the OCP said:
“Steven Seaton was willing to risk the safety of the public by importing a
deadly weapon for his own financial gain, which was destined to be sold into an
organised crime group.

“This investigation involved working with extensively with
West Yorkshire Police and Spanish authorities, and I want to thank them for
their continued support.

“The OCP will leave no stone unturned in removing illegal
firearms from the community and bringing those response for such criminality
before the courts.”

NCA’s Head of Investigations for Scotland & Northern
Ireland, Gerry McLean, said: “Preventing firearms from getting into the UK and
into the hands of criminals is a key priority for the NCA.

“By working closely with our colleagues in Police
Scotland, the Organised Crime Partnership was able to prevent a weapon making
it onto the streets of Scotland and causing harm to the communities we are here
to protect.”

Jennifer Harrower, Procurator Fiscal said: “This prosecution
for unlawful importation and possession of a firearm underlines the priority of
all agencies working within the Serious and Organised Task Force, to detect and
disrupt the movement of firearms into Scotland to help maintain public
safety.  The Organised Crime Partnership
has had a number of successful operations in disrupting serious crime and serious
and organised crime in Scotland and Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal
Service will continue to support its work.

Anyone with information or concerns about organised crime
should contact Police Scotland via 101, or report information anonymously to
the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.