A Dumbarton man has been sentenced after police uncovered a concealed cache of imported firearms in a rented storage unit at Sandpoint Marina — a discovery authorities say removed dangerous weapons from the streets. The case, which also involved drugs and edged weapons found at his home, raises fresh questions about offending while on bail and the security of rented marine storage.
Firearms officers executed a search in March 2025 of a metal container linked to 56‑year‑old Robert Weir and found a range of weapons and ammunition, some of which were ready to fire.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Weir admitted a string of firearms offences and was jailed for seven years and six months. Prosecutors also said he possessed a significant quantity of cannabis at his Dumbarton address.
What police recovered
- Shortened Russian shotgun — loaded and forensically assessed as capable of firing 16‑bore cartridges.
- Japanese shotgun — also loaded; constructed to fire 12‑bore cartridges and treated as a firearm in law.
- Two handguns with ammunition; one contained six modified blank cartridges and was classed as a prohibited weapon requiring official licence or written ministerial authority.
- 1.7kg of cannabis in vacuum‑sealed bags, plus digital scales — police estimate a street value of about £17,202.
- Two swords and other paraphernalia linked to storage and concealment; DNA matching Weir was found on a holdall and on several weapons.
Officers say the shipping container where the firearms were hidden had been rented by Weir and was searched the same day his home was searched. Items seized from the house included the cannabis, scales and the swords; the weapons were recovered from the container at the marina.
Legal and forensic findings
Forensic examination confirmed the shotguns and at least one handgun were in working order. Under Scottish firearms law, the modified handgun was treated as a prohibited weapon and would require a Firearm Certificate and written ministerial approval to lawfully possess.
The court noted the offences were committed while Weir was on bail, an aggravating factor that influenced the sentence handed down in Glasgow.
Prosecutor response and public safety
A prosecutor from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said the recovery removed weapons that “had the potential to cause significant harm” and stressed the multi‑agency effort that brought the case to court. They added the custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of the offending and the commitment to pursue those who use storage facilities to conceal dangerous items.
Local residents and marina users are likely to view the case as a reminder of security vulnerabilities around rented units and the risks posed by individuals who exploit them to store illegal arms.
Why this matters now
Beyond the criminal outcome, the incident underlines two timely concerns: enforcement of bail conditions and oversight of small storage rentals — both areas that police and policymakers are scrutinising as part of broader public‑safety reviews. Removing these weapons from circulation reduces immediate risk, but the case has prompted renewed attention on preventing similar concealment tactics.
In short: authorities say a potentially dangerous arsenal has been taken off the streets, the defendant has been jailed, and the case highlights gaps that could be addressed through tighter monitoring of bail and rented storage facilities.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
