Counter-terrorism police have charged a 24-year-old man with multiple firearms offences after seizing weapons at the Port of Dover.
Khalid Ahmed, who holds both Dutch and Irish citizenship and resides in Ealing, west London, faces 10 counts of possessing a prohibited weapon alongside a single charge of possessing prohibited ammunition.
The charges follow his arrest last Thursday when he entered the UK from France, where officers discovered several self-loading pistols during a search of his vehicle at the port.
Ahmed was initially stopped and held under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 upon his arrival, as Counter-terrorism officers questioned him before conducting a thorough examination of his vehicle.
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Ten weapons were found hidden behind the seats of the vehicle, and some of the guns were loaded, the court was told.
The investigation has been conducted by counter-terrorism policing, with additional searches carried out at a property in west London.
Following his detention, Ahmed was transported to a police station in London for further questioning.
Man charged after counter-terror police seize pistols from car at port of Dover | GETTYAfter his arrest, he was subsequently detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at the London police station.
Ahmed has been held in custody since his arrest and appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court today.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter-Terrorism Policing London, reassured the public following the arrest.
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"We appreciate this news may be concerning to the public, but since this arrest took place we have been carrying out a number of enquiries and, to date, have not identified any imminent threat to the public," she said.
She urged caution regarding public discussion of the case, stating: "Given the man has been charged, it is important there is no further speculation about the case while criminal proceedings are ongoing".
Commander Flanagan confirmed that the investigation remains active to ensure public safety.
On Saturday, investigators secured a warrant from Westminster Magistrates' Court permitting them to extend his detention through to today.
The Crown Prosecution Service then authorised the charges against him, which were formally brought on Tuesday.
The construction worker, born in Amsterdam, attended a brief hearing in front of the district judge Daniel Sternberg this morning.
He did not enter pleas to the charges and was again remanded in custody until a hearing at the Old Bailey on April 17.