A man from Birmingham has been charged after gun components were found stashed in a car shipped from Pakistan to the UK.

The 72 parts were discovered inside the fuel tank and under the bonnet of the car, which was recovered by Border Force officers on 7 July at London Gateway port, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Yasir Khan, 39, from Sparkhill, was arrested by armed officers in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on Friday in relation to the NCA investigation.

Mr Khan was later charged with the attempted importation of firearms and is set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

“This operation has seen us prevent a huge array of gun parts entering the UK,” said senior investigating officer Paul Orchard.

“These components could have been used to help build or adapt deadly weapons, which would have ended up in criminal hands.

“Working with our law enforcement partners we will do all we can to protect the public by preventing illegal firearms reaching the streets of the UK.”