TWO men who used a Muswell Hill flat to store guns, ammunition and drugs were last week sentenced to a total of 39 years in prison.

Drug dealer Kamaran Anwar, 25, and Igor Konopek, 32, were found guilty of a series of charges related to a shooting in Putney a year ago.

The court heard Anwar had hired former Yugoslav special forces soldier Konopek to kill a group of Colombians who had double-crossed him and stolen £85,000 in cash.

The assassination attempt took place at speed along Putney High Street, as Anwar and Konopek passed the Colombians in a car. Andreas Castro, one of those in the car, was injured, receiving a graze to his stomach.

Police pursued the two men and caught Anwar as he tried to pose as a guest at a garden barbecue. Konopek was chased and turned a gun on PC Jeremy Archer, who was chasing him. However, the gun was wrestled from his grip and he was eventually arrested.

They were both convicted earlier this month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Castro and of attempted grievous bodily harm on Mr Castro's two colleagues. They were also found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and Anwar alone was found guilty of charges related to the possession of cocaine, firearms and ammunition, which were found at a flat in Sydney Road, Muswell Hill the base for his criminal dealings.

The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey on Thursday, May 16. Anwar was jailed for 23 years whilst Konopek was given 16 years imprisonment.

Judge Giles Forrester said: "It is all too common for drug dealers these days to arm themselves with firearms.

"This practice gives rise to shootings which have become increasingly prevalent on the streets and other public places in London these days, when gangsters fight their battles."

He added: "This cannot be tolerated in a civilised society because ordinary people are entitled to use the streets without this kind of dreadful violence.

"Very long sentences are necessary in part to punish but also to deter and keep dangerous criminals such as you off the streets for the protection of the public."