UPDATE: Guns and grenades seized after NCA operation at business park

Five handguns and three hand grenades have been seized following a NCA operation at Rosier Business Park in Billingshurst. Picture: NCA

Five handguns and three hand grenades have been seized following a National Crime Agency (NCA) operation at a business park in Billingshurst.

NCA officers, supported by armed colleagues from Sussex Police, moved in on a lorry on the Rosier Business Park in Billingshurst at midday today. Read our original story here.

They arrested the lorry driver, a man his 40s from the Brighton area, on suspicion of the importation of firearms and explosives. He is now being questioned by NCA investigators.

A spokesman for the NCA said: “After an initial inspection of the lorry two plastic cases were found stuck to the bottom of the truck with magnets.

“Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams were called in, and a 100 metre exclusion zone around the vehicle was set up.

“EOD officers safely removed and opened the cases, finding inside five handguns, three hand grenades and several dozen rounds of ammunition.

“The exclusion zone around the vehicle has now been lifted, but specialist NCA search officers remain at the scene.”

NCA Branch Commander David Norris said: “This was a significant seizure of weaponry which, in criminal hands, could have caused untold damage.