Gang smuggled cocaine inside tropical fruit boxes
A drugs gang who smuggled more than £9m of cocaine into the UK hidden inside boxes of tropical fruit have been jailed.
A consignment of papaya was imported from Mexico in 2023, West Yorkshire Police said, with 92kg of the Class A drug concealed among the fruit.
The crates were delivered to Bradford and taken to a tyre yard in the Low Moor area of the city, with the drugs later split from the rest of the consignment.
At Bradford Crown Court on Friday, four men were sentenced for drug offences. Three other men have already been jailed for their roles in the plot.
Acting under the direction of gang leader Sanchez Heffernan, officers said Jack Stalley collected the delivery after it arrived in the UK on 4 October.
It was then taken to the tyre yard, which was controlled by Levi Depass.
Dominic Lowe was then seen handing more than 35kg of the drugs to Adil Ditta.
The consignment of papaya was imported from Mexico on 4 October 2023 [West Yorkshire Police]
Ditta fled from police and his VW Golf was later found abandoned with the drugs inside.
Telephone evidence confirmed that Lowe was acting under the directions of Depass and Matthew Jackson.
The remaining 57kg of cocaine was taken from the yard to the Shipley area of the city by Gary Sinclair, police said, with officers finding the haul after stopping his car.
(From left) Garry Sinclair, Dominic Lowe and Adil Ditta were jailed at previous hearings [West Yorkshire Police]
Heffernan, Depass, Jackson and Stalley were all charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.
At the court on Friday:
Heffernan, 34, formerly of Denholme, was jailed for 29 years
Depass, 37, formerly of Shipley, was jailed for 27 years
Jackson, 35, formerly of Bingley, was jailed for 17 years
Stalley, 34, of Allerton, was jailed for 13 years
At previous sentencings:
Sinclair, 39, and formerly of Gomersal, Cleckheaton, was sentenced to 10 years for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and dangerous driving
Lowe, 32 of HMP Holme House, Stockton-on-Tees, was sentenced to eight years for supplying Class A drugs
Ditta, 24, formerly of Nelson, Lancashire, was sentenced to eight years for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and dangerous driving
Speaking after the sentencing on Friday, Det Insp Chris Rukin said: “These individuals played leading roles in a sophisticated criminal network and their lengthy prison sentences reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
“We’re proud of the tireless work by our officers and partners to dismantle this operation and protect our communities from the serious harm caused by illegal drugs.”
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