Home / Crime and Justice / Brothers Profit Nearly £400k From Murder Weapon Scheme
Brothers Profit Nearly £400k From Murder Weapon Scheme
15 Feb
Summary
- Brothers earned nearly £400,000 from government weapon surrender scheme.
- Their websites sold weapons linked to at least 14 murders.
- They accounted for 78% of surrendered knives nationwide.
Brothers Adam and Eddy Eliaz, whose online businesses DNA Leisure and Sporting Wholesale sold weapons linked to at least 14 murders, have received nearly £400,000 from a government compensation scheme. The scheme offered payments for surrendered zombie knives and ninja swords. Adam Eliaz, a former contestant on Lord Sugar's 'Young Apprentice', and his brother accounted for a staggering 78% of the 47,795 knives handed in during the month-long program.
Their companies surrendered 37,300 knives, resulting in a payment of at least £373,000 from the taxpayer-funded initiative. The ban on zombie knives, requiring owners to surrender them by September 24, 2024, concluded the brothers' operations in this sector. Critics argue the scheme was deeply flawed, especially given the Eliaz brothers' past dealings with weapons linked to fatal crimes, including the murder of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda.
Despite disputes over profitability, the payments to the brothers have raised serious questions about the scheme's oversight. The Home Office's impact assessment significantly underestimated the number of blades expected to be surrendered, and the total payout. The brothers' father defended their actions, suggesting alternative sellers would emerge if they didn't operate.
Both DNA Leisure and Sporting Wholesale maintain they did not sell prohibited items before the ban and complied immediately with updated legislation. DNA Leisure ceased selling bladed articles on June 13, 2024. The companies have expressed sadness over loss of life and deny blame for knife crime, attributing it to societal issues and misuse of products by individuals.
