Former Royal Marine jailed for terror offences

A former Royal Marine has been jailed for stockpiling and manufacturing large amounts of explosives, weapons and ammunition in hides across Northern Ireland and Devon which he admitted would have been used to assist others to commit terrorist acts had they not been discovered.

The case was brought to the attention of police thanks to members of the public who noticed suspicious items buried in woodland in Northern Ireland, and reported it to police.

Ciaran Maxwell, 31, of Exminster, was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Monday, 31 July.

Maxwell previously pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts (contrary to section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006), as well as possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of articles for use in fraud.

Commander Dean Haydon, Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “An extremely dangerous terrorist has been caught and a significant and substantial amount of explosives and weapons have been seized - all thanks to members of the public, who noticed suspicious items and reported it to the police.

“This case shows what an important role the public has in fighting terrorism and how police and security services rely on the eyes and ears of the public to help us tackle the threats we all face.”

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, Head of the PSNI’s Crime Operations Department, said: “Ciaran Maxwell is an extremely dangerous individual who was capable of gathering a large amount of munitions over multiple sites in Northern Ireland and England. It is obvious that these materials and munitions were sourced, gathered and constructed over significant periods of time which demonstrates Ciaran Maxwell’s determination and committed planning. These items are designed to cause damage, serious injury and to kill.

"As a result of these finds and the arrest and sentencing of Ciaran Maxwell, there is no doubt in my mind that Northern Ireland and England are safer places to live. I would very much like to thank my police colleagues in Great Britain for their partnership and professionalism in this case. I also want to thank the members of the public who first alerted Police to the hides in both Carnfunnock and Capanagh. Without them acting on their suspicions Maxwell may not have been caught. This case clearly demonstrates the vital role communities have in support of their police service.”

An investigation was initially launched by PSNI in March 2016 after a member of the public reported suspicious items found buried in Carfunnock Country Park, Larne.

PSNI officers searched the woods and found two barrels buried in the ground containing various chemicals and precursor materials needed for making explosives. They also found a number of other items that could be used to make detonators and firing systems – in effect all the component parts needed to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Two months later, more suspicious items were reported to police by members of the public at a site in Capanagh Forest near Larne. PSNI officers found another three barrels buried in the ground containing more components for building IEDs, as well as two anti-personnel mines, pipe bombs, a handgun and ammunition.

In August 2016, forensic evidence was uncovered that linked Maxwell to items recovered from both sites in Northern Ireland. Given Maxwell was working as a Royal Marine at a Somerset military base and lived in Devon, the investigation was widened and coordinated by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, working with colleagues from PSNI, as well as the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, Devon and Cornwall and Avon and Somerset police forces.

Maxwell was seen by police visiting Powderham New Plantation in Devon and he was arrested on 24 August 2016 at his workplace at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton. When they searched the woods in Powderham, officers found a total of 19 hides with more items and chemicals linked to the production and manufacture of IEDs. Officers also found memory cards, digital devices and hand-written notes and ‘to-do’ lists detailing items he needed to buy or tasks Maxwell was carrying out relating to the manufacture and storage of IEDs.

On one of the devices, officers also found detailed lists of more than 300 government, military, police and judicial buildings and personnel that Maxwell had researched. From the array of material recovered from the hides and from his home and work addresses, officers found evidence that Maxwell had been researching IEDs and explosives and was stockpiling materials from as early as 2011.

Police found a small cannabis factory hidden in the woods at Powderham, and further enquiries revealed that Maxwell was producing the cannabis to sell on in order to supplement his income. Copies of several of his colleagues’ bank and identity cards were also found on Maxwell’s laptop along with digital guides on how to use these kind of details to commit fraud – although he had, at that point, not actually defrauded any of his victims.

During questioning, Maxwell told officers about a further five locations in the Larne area where he had hidden more weapons and materials for making explosives, as well as items including a police vest, a copy of a PSNI officer card and other items of police uniform.

In total, officers found materials and chemicals that would have made tens of kilos of explosives from the hides in Devon and over 100 kilos of explosives from the hides in Northern Ireland. Fourteen pipe bombs, two anti-personnel mines, two explosively formed projectiles (‘EFPs’ - designed to penetrate vehicle armour) and more than 60 complete firing systems and initiators were recovered. Materials to make an additional 19 pipe bombs, two anti-personnel mines, one EFP, three booby-trapped torch IEDs and around 100 firing systems and initiators were also recovered from his hides.

Commander Haydon added: “Maxwell has never indicated to us what his motivation was, and although our investigation revealed he has some links to violent dissident republicans, he was largely acting alone in stockpiling and manufacturing these weapons and explosives.

“Whilst we found no evidence that an attack was imminent, he clearly carried out research on potential targets and there was no doubt that he intended the bombs and weapons to end up in the hands of terrorists.

“This case shows the strength of how police forces work together through the UK’s Counter Terrorism Network. As soon as Maxwell was identified as the suspect, we coordinated a largescale investigation and police operation across the southwest of England and Northern Ireland, which was both extremely fast-paced and complex. This has prevented a huge amount of lethal weapons from falling into terrorist hands and an extremely dangerous man is now behind bars.”

Communities are urged to report any suspicious activity to police, in confidence, by calling 0800 789 321. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, which is completely anonymous on 0800 555 111.

For more information on reporting suspicious or terrorist activity visit the Action Counters Terrorism website at: http://www.gov.uk/act

With respect to the terrorism offence, Maxwell was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment, with an extension of five years on licence. He was also sentenced to two years' imprisonment for the fraud offence and 18 months imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cannabis - both to be served concurrently.

Devon & Cornwall Police have thanked residents of Exminster following the sentencing.

Superintendent Jacqui Hawley, said: “This was a complicated and challenging case. The weapons and drugs cache identified at the Powderham Plantation in Devon represented one of the largest ever crime scenes in the UK, and took a total of three weeks to search and seize all the relevant exhibits; the cordon for this area was 10km long, alone.

“In total, this 18-day operation totalling 2,810 officer days was the most important issue in the country from a national counter terrorism ranking at that time.

“I am sure many local residents are shocked by what has been revealed at the Old Bailey during the sentencing of Ciaran Maxwell, and by the scale of what was discovered buried at the New Powderham Plantation. I want to reassure the public that at no time has there been any credible links to targets in Devon and Cornwall in connection to the weapons located near Exminster.

“I also wish to once again thank the public of Exminster for their warm and welcoming attitude they showed towards all who worked on this case. Despite the disruption, including having nationwide media descending on their quiet town, the public were polite and supportive towards my officers throughout.

“If you see or hear something that could be terrorist related, act on your instincts and call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321 . In an emergency, always dial 999. Visit www.gov.uk/ACT for more information, including how to report extremist or terrorist content that you come across online.”