Manhunt for convicted gun smuggler who was living in the Grimsby area

Rafal Wojciech Habiak was convicted in his absence of importing firearms
-Credit: (Image: National Crime Agency)


A manhunt is underway for a gun smuggler who was living in the Grimsby area and has been sentenced to a second jail term.

Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) are seeking assistance to locate Polish national Rafal Wojciech Habiak after he was convicted of importing firearms. Habiak, 40, whose last known address was in Lovett Street, Cleethorpes, failed to appear for his trial at Canterbury Crown Court in August and was subsequently convicted in his absence when the judge decided the trial should proceed.

Habiak, who lived in the Grimsby area during the time of the offence, was initially apprehended in 2018 following the discovery of a handgun and ammunition concealed beneath the floor of a Mercedes car by Border Force officers at Dover, along with a rucksack containing ten canisters of CS gas.

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After an interview with NCA officials, he admitted to importation offences and received a five-year prison sentence. While still locked up, further evidence emerged from his phone indicating that additional weapons might be hidden in the seized vehicle.

A message to Habiak stated: "You will need to dismantle the car a bit to get one". This led to more thorough searches, which uncovered an Ekol pistol with live rounds, a flare gun, and extra ammunition.

An Ekol pistol containing five live rounds was found hidden in a car
An Ekol pistol containing five live rounds was found hidden in a car -Credit:National Crime Agency

Released from prison in January 2021, Habiak moved to Cleethorpes and faced new charges of conspiring to import firearms alongside Marcin Matwijow, 44, of Liverpool, who had sent him the incriminating message. Both men were granted bail while awaiting court proceedings.

Matwijow ultimately decided to plead guilty, receiving a sentence of seven years and ten months imprisonment.

In his absence, a jury at Canterbury Crown took less than half an hour to find Habiak guilty. On October 3, a judge sentenced him to an additional 18 months in prison, taking into account the sentence he had already served.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Marcin Matwijow was sentenced to seven years and ten months imprisonment
Marcin Matwijow was sentenced to seven years and ten months imprisonment -Credit:National Crime Agency

NCA Branch Commander Adam Berry said: "Rafal Habiak lived in Grimsby and Cleethorpes area at the time of his offending and also had contacts in the Liverpool area. I have no doubt that there is someone out there who has information on his whereabouts.

"Anyone who assisting him while he is at large should also know that they may be committing an offence in doing so.

"Gun smuggling is an extremely serious offence, and we are determined to do all we can to ensure Habiak is tracked down and serves his full sentence."

Anyone with information can contact the NCA directly on 0370 496 7622, or reach out to Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone on 0800 555 111.