Two men have been sentenced to prison after a police stop in Bristol uncovered dangerous weapons and a significant stash of illegal drugs.
On 2 October 2024, Avon and Somerset Police pulled over a black BMW on Bond Street, suspecting it had cloned number plates.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded firearm, a machete, and carrier bags filled with cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, 2-CB, and cannabis.
Sepehr Yousefali, 22, of no fixed address, and David Meti, 22, from London, both pleaded guilty to multiple charges and were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.
Yousefali received eight years and nine months in prison, while Meti was jailed for four years.
When officers approached the car, Yousefali—who was in the front passenger seat—immediately admitted to carrying a loaded firearm in his waistband.
The weapon, a converted 9mm blank-firing handgun, was loaded with four rounds of ammunition. A machete was also found wedged between the driver’s seat and the door.
A further search of the vehicle uncovered two large carrier bags containing class A and class B drugs with an estimated street value of nearly £6,000.
Both men were charged with:
• Three counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs
• Two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs
Yousefali faced additional charges, including:
• Possessing a firearm of a prohibited length
• Possessing a loaded firearm and suitable ammunition in a public place
• Possessing a firearm while prohibited for five years
Meti was also charged with:
• Possession of a bladed article in a public place
• Driving without third-party insurance
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Nicholas Lawson highlighted the serious threat posed by the pair.
“It is clear from the weapons Yousefali and Meti had in their possession that they had the potential to cause serious harm.
“The pair were transporting a significant amount of illegal drugs, that no doubt would have ended up on the streets of Bristol had officers not wisely taken the proactive action to stop the vehicle.
“Our inquiries found they were deliberately targeting people who enjoy Bristol’s night-time economy and seeking to profit from the misery that such substances cause.
“We will never tire in our efforts to target those that seek to bring drugs to Avon and Somerset, and will continue to specifically target drugs lines which seek to further the plague of drugs within our communities.”
The successful police operation reinforces Avon and Somerset Police’s commitment to tackling organised crime and keeping dangerous weapons off the streets.
