Watford man jailed after trying to buy grenades online

Mohammed Humza, 30, originally of Fuller Road, Watford, was previously arrested at his home by officers in 2016, after using Bitcoin to pay for two grenades on the dark web.

Humza also enquired about the availability of more grenades and explosive materials, along with a detonator fuse.

But not to his knowledge, he was actually talking to someone from a law enforcement agency when enquiring about the items, and never received the grenades.

His home was searched and a number of electrical devices were seized, which had evidence of his intent to purchase the weapons, including searches for ‘F1 Grenades’ and login details for his dark web account.

Mohammed Humza has been jailed. Credit: ERSOU

He was bailed ahead of a trial in October 2020, but he instead fled overseas and failed to turn up to court.

In January 2021, he was sentenced in his absence to five years in prison for attempting to possess an explosive substance for unlawful purposes – and investigations into his whereabouts continued.

He was finally found and arrested by officers from Greater Manchester Police last week and appeared at the Old Bailey last Friday (February 4) where he was jailed for a further eight weeks on top of his existing five year sentence.

A stock image of a grenade. Credit: Pixabay

Detective Inspector Ian Mawdesley said: “Although Humza didn’t end up gaining access to these weapons, the evidence uncovered left no doubt as to his intention. He then attempted to evade authorities by fleeing the country.

“Thanks to our officers, who were relentless in their pursuit of him, he has been caught and will now pay the price for his actions by spending a lengthy time behind bars, showing that you can never truly outrun justice.”