TWO Co Antrim men were arrested after plotting to buy guns on the 'dark web' from an undercover police officer posing as an arms dealer, a court heard.
Thomas Morgan (42) from Burnside Road in Doagh and 23-year-old Darren Bennett from Church Road in Newtownabbey are standing trial at Belfast Crown Court after they allegedly tried to buy two Glock pistols.
Prosecuting barrister Sam Magee told the court on Monday that on February 10 last year, 'Joe' - an undercover police officer posing as a firearms trader on the dark web - received a message from a man calling himself 'Darren'.
'Darren' told 'Joe' he was looking for Glocks and was given a price for each.
The following day, 'Joe' sent a message to 'Darren' asking what the weapons were for as he "didn't want anything to come back and bite me on the arse".
Morgan then messaged Bennett on WhatsApp and suggested that he tell 'Joe' the guns were not going to be used, the court heard.
Bennett told 'Joe' that he wanted to build up a supply of weapons.
A few days later, Bennett was told by 'Joe' he would be meeting a man called Danny at Central Station in Belfast on February 17.
Mr Magee said Bennett was late but agreed to meet Danny at Yorkgate at 2pm that day.
Bennett was later arrested at Yorkgate. Morgan was arrested in Carrickfergus on February 19.
During Morgan's arrest, police found a phone showing messages between him and Bennett.
Mr Magee said that after arresting Bennett, officers intercepted a parcel for him which contained cocaine and MDMA. The prosecution said Bennett intended to sell the drugs.
During police interviews, Bennett admitted he had been on the dark web but only wanted to buy a pellet gun.
In a statement, Morgan said Bennett was a friend of his son's and that he was aware he had a drugs problem but denied his own involvement in a conspiracy to buy guns.
The case continues.
