Muhammad Choudhary from Ilford sent rifle scopes to the Taliban

Muhammad Choudhary sent night vision and thermal imaging scopes to Pakistan on numerous occasions in 2017 and 2018. 

The 41-year-old later admitted they were intended for use by the Taliban which was launching attacks against the then-government and coalition forces in Afghanistan. 

He first came to the attention of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after the rifle scopes were seized at Heathrow Airport in 2018. 

Further enquiries revealed he had bought the sniper sights from legitimate hunting suppliers in the UK. 

Muhammad Choudhary (Image: Met Police) Choudhary admitted a charge of fundraising for purposes of terrorism and two charges of making funding arrangements for the purposes of terrorism. 

At the Old Bailey on Tuesday (October 15) he was jailed for seven years with an additional year to be served on extended licence. 

A thermal imaging scope seized on its way to Pakistan (Image: Met Police) Acting Commander Gareth Rees, of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This case is a prime example of how terrorist activity can take many different forms, and shows that we will investigate anyone in the UK who supports terrorist activity, regardless of what it may be in support of or to where it may be linked. 

“This was a unique case where government colleagues identified potential terrorist-related activity and shared information with us. 

“Further enquiries conducted by Counter Terrorism Command officers led to Choudhary being convicted and jailed for various terrorism offences.” 

Mike Pass, assistant director of fraud investigation service at HMRC, said: “The UK operates a strict licensing regime to uphold international sanctions and to ensure military equipment does not fall into the wrong hands. 

“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure effective controls and enforcement on military goods, which contributes to the UK’s national security.”