A gang of drill rappers including a gunman in a clown mask have been jailed for 23 years each after they were caught in a car packed with a cache of weapons on a mission to hunt down rivals. Lekan Akinsoji, 20, Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, Nathaniel Lewis, 23, and Troy Ifill, 22, made drill videos bragging about killing their rivals. The four were 'tooled up' with a sawn-off shotgun as well as a terrifying 'Zombie' knife and a pickaxe as they drove through enemy territory. Their BMW had been kitted out with false plates and they ditched their mobile phones to try and beat any attempt to trace their movements. But they were spotted by an armed police patrol who pursued them during a mile-long chase through the streets of Leytonstone, east London, engaging in a shoot-out. Four members of a drill gang have been jailed for 23 years each after an armed police chase during which one aimed a shotgun at pursuing officers, pictured, ringed Lekan Akinsoji, 20, left, and Nathanial Lewis, 23, right, were involved in the police chase and were found to have a huge cache of weapons in their BMW. Akinsoji and Lewis have links to the Woodgrange Gang from Forest Gate Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, left, and Troy Ifill, 22, right, who have links to the Stratford Gang, were also involved in the chase and a court heard they had been planning to 'hunt down' rivals from the E11 gang After Akinsoji aimed the gun at officers, one of them shot through the BMW's windscreen four times and a shoot-out was only ended when the rappers were blocked by an oncoming vehicle Akinsoji and Lewis have links to the Woodgrange E7 Gang from Forest Gate while Joseph-Newill and Ifill are affiliated with the Stratford Gang from the same area. The court heard they were looking to find rivals from the E11 gang. Front seat passenger Akinsoji wearing a white clown mask, took aim with the shotgun and the officer behind the wheel pulled out his Glock and fired four shots through the BMW's windscreen. His colleagues also fired their weapons, but the dramatic shoot-out was only ended when the car was blocked by an oncoming vehicle after turning the wrong way down a one-way street. Front seat passenger Akinsoji wore this white clown mask, pictured, while aiming the shotgun at the police car Judge Mark Dennis QC told the defendants: 'It is not without significance that the defendants were driving around the area affiliated with the E11 gang, a gang identified as a rival gang in one of their drill rap videos. 'This was planned and organised violence. 'The offence involved five participants in what was to be a group attack late at night in public streets 'The firearm was a sawn-off single barreled shotgun. It was found to be loaded with a live cartridge, cocked, and ready to fire.' Friends and relatives gasped with shock in the packed public gallery as the sentence was announced. Some supporters burst into tears and wailed loudly as the four were led to the cells. His Honour Judge Mark Dennis QC said: 'The young men were free to make a choice. 'An extended sentence can and should be made today. 'They appeared to embrace gang culture over an extended period of time. They formed part of the Newham Northside Gang - an allegiance between three others including Woodgrange E7. 'It causes the utmost alarm among the public. They embarked on a planned attempt to inflict extreme violence.' The court heard that Lewis was in breach of a 24 month suspended sentence for possession of heroin with intent to supply. Prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC said: 'The case is that these four defendants, plus the driver, were on what is known as a 'ride-out'. 'This is where members or associates of one gang drive to the territory of another gang, often in a stolen vehicle, with the intention of causing really serious injury or even death to any member or presumed member of the opposing gang. 'The arsenal of weapons found in the stolen car evidencing, we suggest, their obvious intention that night. A huge haul of weapons were found in their car, including this sawn-off shotgun, pictured Also found in the vehicle were a collection of knives including these two, above and below 'During the pursuit, the front seat passenger of the BMW stuck a shortened shotgun out of his window and pointed it at the following police vehicle.' He added: 'The white face reminded the officer of the Hollywood film 'Heat' and it looked like a clown's face.' Police officers recovered the shortened shotgun with cartridges nearby, the 'Zombie' knife and a pickaxe purchased from the 'knifewarehouse' website. Three other blades were seized from the gang members or from near the car. Mr Orchard added: 'During the last 18 months or so, the Stratford Gang, Woodgrange Gang and a gang called Chadd Green have formed an alliance under the name 'Northside Newham',' he added. The four have appeared in a number of drill videos, with Akinsoji rapping in one: 'We ride, we ride to kill, Woodgrange gang are serious about violence.' In another clip he brags: 'Any rival gang member I see I'll kill, four gang members in a car they are serious guys that will kill rival gang member.' The court also heard how Akinsoji featured on a song called 'Armed And Ready' - which contained lyrics referring to gangs, prison and revenge. Mr Orchard said the men had 'an armoury of weapons ready for immediate usage' and were equipped with gloves and headwear to protect them from being identified. Prosecutors said the gang members were planning to use the weapons, including this axe, to hunt down and attack rivals from the E11 gang Another machete-style knife, pictured, that was found in the drill rappers' BMW A can of petrol was also left in the boot in order to torch the car and destroy any evidence of their planned attack. 'They had prepared carefully but they hadn't banked on being spotted by the three armed officers,' Mr Orchard said. All four men denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiring to cause GBH with intent but were unanimously convicted by the jury. Akinsoji was cleared of using a firearm with intent to resist arrest during the same incident on 26 July last year. Lewis and Ifil had earlier admitted possessing a firearm when prohibited. The driver of the BMW managed to flee the scene and has yet to be apprehended. Akinsoji, of Dagenham, Joseph-Newill, of Stratford, Lewis, of Forest Gate, and Ifill, also from Stratford, denied the charges but were convicted of possessing a firearm with intent and conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm. All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility