Two cousins will spend a total of ten years in jail after a gun and Class A drugs were found hidden in a Nottingham back garden.
Police made the discovery after executing a warrant at a property in St Ann’s, in November 2018.
They found a mattress in the garden, and under it was a carrier bag containing 75 wraps of crack cocaine and 87 wraps of heroin.
A revolver handgun and three rounds of ammunition were then found concealed within the mattress itself.
Two men were arrested in connection with the discovery after being tracked down by officers the same day. They denied responsibility but were charged after their DNA was found on the bags containing the drugs and gun.
On arrest, 31 wraps of crack cocaine and 30 wraps of heroin, as well as £417 in cash, were also seized.
A few days into their trial at Nottingham Crown Court, both men pleaded guilty to their involvement.
At the same court, on Friday 12 April, they were jailed, as follows:
Man 1: seven years for possession of a firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of ammunition and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Man 2: three years for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
The case was the last under Operation Snapper – a complex investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) into the supply, distribution and management of firearms relating to a gang grounded in the St Ann’s area of the city.
EMSOU Detective Inspector Charlie Nicholls said: "We remain committed to reducing the risk of harm to our communities from firearms crime and will continue to vigorously investigate criminal offences linked to any firearm recovered.
"This case was one of a number under EMSOU’s Operation Snapper, that over the last few years has seen a total of 15 people jailed for nearly 140 for perpetrating violence through guns and drugs.
"I hope the sentences handed down send a clear message that gun crime will not be tolerated in Nottinghamshire and we will do everything in our powers to bring those involved in firearms crime to justice.
"Organised criminal gangs should be under no doubt that the police possess significant specialist investigative capabilities and will use them to break up their activities and keep our communities safe."