Drug-dealing gunman caught in Portsmouth jailed for 15 years

Kandan Sivapunniyam, 20, was stopped by officers in Holbrook Road on March 10.

He had been travelling in a taxi from Southampton but was originally from London, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.

Police found the pistol and ammunition in a small bag he had on him.

Despite Sivapunniyam claiming he did not know the pistol was in the bag he was found guilty of found guilty of having a firearm intent to commit indictable offence by a jury.

He also admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – for crack cocaine and heroin.

Sivapunniyam, of Meath Road, Stratford, London, was jailed for 15 years and six months at Newport Crown Court last week.

Chief Inspector James Pegler said: ‘Gangs from outside of Hampshire are travelling to Portsmouth to supply drugs; most of these originate from London and some are associated with weapons and violence.

‘We continue to work hard to make the city a hostile place for such gangs, by building intelligence and taking enforcement action against the networks that pose the most risk to the public and by responding quickly to information.

‘In this example, a positive arrest was made, taking an illegally held firearm off the street, which has resulted in a substantial prison sentence.

‘It is essential that dangerous people, like Mr Sivapunniyam, feel that they will be stopped by the police as this will discourage them from carrying weapons and dealing drugs in Portsmouth.’