brixton prison
Dwain Osborne, charged with attempting to buy a gun on the Dark Web, was an employee at Brixton Prison Getty Images

A south London man and employee of Brixton Prison has been charged with attempting to buy a guy on the Dark Web, possession of cocaine and stealing a police uniform. Dwain Osborne, of Avenue Road, Penge, was arrested by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership in October 2015, after he allegedly tried to purchase a Glock 19 handgun and 100 rounds of ammunition online.

The 26 year-old was bailed and re-arrested on 17 February after a media drive recovered from his home allegedly contained material from Brixton Prison, where he was employed to work in the library. The search of his home also saw the recovery of stolen passports and a police uniform, officers said.

A second search following his most recent arrest saw him also charged with possession of a class A controlled drug, namely cocaine, with intent to supply. In total, Osborne was charged with nine offences.

Andy Tickner from the Organised Crime Partnership, said: "People looking to obtain illicit goods and services under the supposed anonymity of the dark web continue to discover that they can be traced and identified. Ensuring that firearms cannot be sourced in this way is a national security priority and we will continue to work tirelessly to prevent and disrupt those involved in the buying and selling of firearms on the dark web."

The Organised Crime Partnership brings together officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).