The moment officers recover a loaded gun discarded by Mohamed Alasow NPAS London had tracked in Ilford. Image:@NPASLondon

The ‘camera in the sky’ of the Met Police helicopter became the vital evidence in the case of a 24 year old man caught in possession of a loaded firearm in the middle of the night.

Mohammed Alasow from Mount Pleasant Lane in Redbridge has been found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent and possession of ammunition (including a silencer).

He’s been jailed for 14 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Police began tracking Alasow half an hour after midnight 21st October 2014.

He’d been seen climbing over a garden fence in St Thomas’ Garden, Redbridge.

The Met Police’s helicopter tracked his movements using heat source technology.

He was stopped and detained shortly afterwards by local officers.

When Air Support Unit officers reviewed the footage a short time later, they noticed Alasow discarding an object.

Police sent to the location to search the area recovered a firearm containing five rounds of live ammunition.

The gun was fitted with a silencer.

DNA analysis confirmed that the weapon was linked to Alasow.

Mohammed Alasow- jailed 14 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court for possessing gun, silencer and ammunition. Image: Met Police

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Mark Ellis of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said:

Thanks to the quick thinking of the member of the public who spotted Alasow acting suspiciously, this dangerous man is now behind bars for a significant period of time.

This was an example of excellent teamwork by officers in the police helicopter, local officers on the ground and Trident detectives who investigated the incident. The conviction of Mohamed Alasow demonstrates our continued commitment to targeting dangerous criminals who carry firearms.