A gang who used two baggage handlers to smuggle an estimated £32 million of cocaine into the UK have been jailed.
Suitcases filled with drugs arrived at Heathrow Terminal 5 from Brazil and were moved to the domestic arrivals hall from the international arrivals carousel to avoid security checks.
Over the duration of 15 months, on six occasions the National Crime Agency )NCA) nabbed a total of 100 kilos of cocaine, with an average of 78.5% purity and a street value of £16 million. However, there have been occasions when the drugs were successfully smuggled.
Judge Michael Hopmeier told London Southwark Crown Court 11 members of the gang had each acted alone for financial gain in a “highly organised” and “long-standing professional conspiracy”.
It is said that corrupt air staff in Brazil loaded bricks of cocaine onto flights while workers in the UK were allegedly sent descriptions and photographs of the bags to be taken off the international arrivals carousel. The National Crime Agency said that couriers would receive a text message with a photo of the bags to pick up.
Baggage hander, Joysen Jhurry, 41, who is said to have played a “vital” role, was sentenced to 16 years in jail for conspiring to import cocaine and cannabis.
Another baggage handler, Mohammad Ali, 42, described as being Jhurry's “lieutenant at Heathrow”, was jailed for 15 years for conspiracy to import cocaine.
48-year-old Michael Sutherland, was sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply.
An NCA Spokesman said, “This kind of corruption threatens the security of the UK border and the public.”
