TWO Barnsley men who attempted to buy two hand grenades so they could ‘kill a rival drug dealer’ have been collectively sentenced to more than 25 years in prison.
Jack Downend, 21, and Richard Jawadnass, 22, were arrested as part of an intelligence-led operation carried out by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) last July.
The pair were charged with attempting to acquire an explosive substance - the M67 fragmentation grenades - with the intent to endanger life and they were both sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.
Downend received a 13-year sentence, while Jawadnass received 12 years and eight months.
Both men will also pay a victim surcharge of £228.
NCA branch operations manager Nigel Coles said: “There is no excuse for trying to obtain deadly weapons of this kind, and it is clear that Downend and Jawadnass were aware their actions were entirely illegal.
“The quick arrest of these men by officers ensured that vital evidence was secured and was able to form the basis of this successful prosecution and imprisonment of these dangerous individuals.”
