Man who laughed and joked as officers searched him jailed for five years after they recover firearm in traffic stop
Fatjon Sadikaj was sentenced to five years in prison for possessing a modified deactivated revolver, classified as a Section 5 Firearm, during a traffic stop in Salford. The incident began as a suspected drink-driving case, but officers discovered the firearm during a search. Sadikaj initially joked about having a gun, but the weapon was found to be operable. Greater Manchester Police emphasized their zero-tolerance policy on firearms.
Eccles Man Gets Five Years for Modified Revolver Found During Drunk-Driving Stop
A 36-year-old Eccles man who told officers “I have one gun” while laughing during a drunk-driving arrest has been sentenced to five years in prison for possessing a modified firearm. Fatjon Sadikaj, of Gorton Street, received the sentence Friday after pleading guilty to possession of a Section 5 Firearm.
The weapon was discovered on April 19 when uniformed officers stopped Sadikaj’s vehicle on Chaddock Lane, Salford, after noticing erratic driving. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. During a search of his person, Sadikaj commented: “I have one gun”, while he laughed and said: “It isn’t really, it isn’t really, it’s just fun and games.”
Officers recovered a silver revolver handgun containing bullets tucked into the waistband of his pants. Examination revealed the firearm was a deactivated revolver that had been modified to enable it to fire, making it a Section 5 Firearm under UK law.
DC David Prowse of the Salford Challenger Team said: “What started off as a suspected drink or drug driving traffic stop, has resulted in a dangerous weapon being taken from our streets and the sentencing of the individual carrying it. There’s no place for guns on our streets and GMP takes a zero-tolerance approach in tackling and bringing to justice those who chose to carry such weapons.”
Between 2020 and 2023, Greater Manchester Police recovered more firearms than any other force in the Northwest, accounting for 58% of all firearms recoveries in the region.
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