Thaindian News

London, Feb 12 (IANS) Police in Britain have been put on alert after reports said high-powered stun guns disguised as mobile phones are being smuggled into the country.

Authorities believe that at least 10,000 estimated stun guns are now in circulation on British streets.

The weapons can reportedly disable victims with a million-volt charge, many times more powerful than a normal police taser, said the Daily Mail.

The fake phones have electrodes at the top which create the shock. A slight touch is enough to deliver the charge, and in extreme cases they may even cause a heart attack.

A China-made Kelon stun gun — identical to a Sony Ericsson K95 mobile phone — was recently found at the Low Newton jail in Durham.

Though illegal in the country, the guns can be bought on the internet for around $23.

UK Border Agency officials have seized such devices at Manchester and Glasgow airports and at a North London post office.

The ministry of justice has sent out a warning that revealed police had made a recent seizure of stun guns disguised as phones.

“The gun presents as a regular mobile phone and, therefore, has the capacity to deceive, as well as cause injury. The recent seizure at Low Newton of a K95 stun gun reminds us of the need to remain vigilant to the threat,” the ministry said.

Anyone found in possession of a stun gun in Britain faces up to 10 years in jail.