
The massive operation saw up to £7bn worth of cocaine, heroin and cannabis brought into the country in an 'unprecedented' criminal conspiracy, executed by a highly organised and professional outfit.
Members of the gang were brought to justice for their part in the staggering crime following what is thought to have been the longest criminal trial in British legal history, which ran at Manchester Crown Court for almost two years.
Police seized 450 kilos of heroin and cocaine and more than two tonnes of cannabis in lorries containing fruit and vegetables, with a total street value of £39.5m. But prosecutors said the seizures were just the tip of an 'extremely large iceberg. In reality the gang were responsible for at least £2bn worth of drugs being imported, or as much as £7bn, offering a transport service for the British criminal underworld.
It was the product of a complex criminal network in which arrangements were made for drugs hidden in 'cover loads, before being driven to the UK in lorries from the Netherlands.
Prosecutors said the shipments, which were then sent on to organised crime gangs up and down the country, were hidden in fresh produce because it was 'impossible' for customs to check every load.
The shipments were made using 'bogus' companies with names including Pot Fresh, Blackpool Fruit and Veg, and Europroduce. Innocent haulage companies would then unwittingly transport the narcotics following contact with the 'bogus' firms.
Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin December 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin December 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

Guardiola continues to shield players
PEP Guardiola will almost never criticise his Manchester City players in public in one of many reasons why he carries so much respect with them.
Hojlund: Exciting project
MANCHESTER United striker Rasmus Hojlund has described the project Ruben Amorim is overseeing at Old Trafford as “incredibly exciting”, while also heaping praise on former manager Erik ten Hag.

How 'loose lips' on encrypted phones jailed a drugs gang
A COCAINE network gang who ran their illicit business out of a skip hire have been brought down after they became 'too comfortable' messaging over Encrochat.

Hot Burn eyeing World Cup after England call-up
DAN Burn has gone from thinking he would never play for England to dreaming of the World Cup in a whirlwind week that brought a maiden call-up and a starring role in Newcastle's Carabao Cup triumph.
'It makes sense to get verdict by end of month'
IT has been revealed when Manchester City could get the final verdict of their legal battle with the Premier League.
Camera police
MOTORISTS in Manchester could be policed by cameras at key junctions - and the council also hopes for 'experimental powers' to enforce 20mph zones.

'You give us hope', family of missing man tell the public
THE family of a missing man have asked people to 'keep going' as the search to find him nears a sad milestone.

Djokovic 'union' starts legal moves
THE player organisation set up by Novak Djokovic has launched legal action against tennis' governing bodies.

Burnham's office 'examines impact of benefits overhaul'
THE major shake-up to benefits announced by DWP minister Liz Kendall is being examined by Andy Burnham’s office, it’s understood.

Man accused of pensioner murder won't give evidence
THE man accused of killing and then dismembering his housemate will not give evidence in his defence at his trial.