London police seize 650 'zombie knives', dismantle online sales network

London’s Metropolitan Police have intercepted 650 illegal 'zombie knives' before they reached the streets, after uncovering a network led by a young man who imported and sold the weapons online, including to individuals he knew were school students.

Jonathan Suarez, 20, was convicted of related crimes following a Metropolitan Police investigation that began with his arrest in connection to a fraud case. When officers examined his electronic devices, they found evidence of importing and selling illegal 'zombie knives' among 2.5 million files.

This evidence enabled police to trace Suarez’s supply routes and identify buyers, as well as intercept incoming shipments and seize 650 illegal knives before they could be distributed on the streets.

Investigations also revealed that at the time of his arrest, Suarez was making inquiries about importing and manufacturing firearms, but police intervened before these plans could be carried out.

The Metropolitan Police said the operation prevented further deaths and injuries from these weapons, which have been strictly banned under UK law since 2016, although criminals continue to use them.

According to the Metropolitan Police, one in ten serious violent incidents involving people under 25 in London this year included the use of a 'zombie knife'.

Detective Chief Inspector Imran Beg, who led the investigation, said Suarez "sold these deadly weapons to people across the country, with complete disregard for the harm they cause. He blatantly sought feedback from those he sold the weapons to, knowing they were being used to stab and injure people, yet continued regardless."

Beg added that "the defendant used fraud to fund his plans, which shows how economic crimes are often at the heart of wider criminal activity," stressing the ongoing pursuit of criminals seeking financial gain from violence that tears families and communities apart.

British police recorded more than 15,000 crimes involving such weapons between March 2023 and March 2024.