Six Men Jailed After Met Detectives Dismantle Drugs Gang Hiding Cocaine on Broom Handles
A successful Metropolitan Police investigation has led to the imprisonment of six men who imported over £1 million worth of cocaine concealed on broom handles. The operation, which began in December 2020, uncovered a plan by the group to import class A drugs from overseas.
Working in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), law enforcement officers discovered crucial intelligence pointing to the group’s intention to smuggle drugs into the country. The seven men in question aimed to import 30 kilograms of cocaine, coated onto broom handles by a process involving a lacquer infused with cocaine. The disguised broom handles were then shipped in a container using legitimate means.
To the untrained eye, the broom handles appeared entirely normal and were hidden among other bundles of regular broom handles. Prior to being shipped, the cocaine underwent a chemical conversion process in Colombia, transforming it into a lacquer suitable for varnishing the handles.
The group placed an order for the broom handles from Colombia in April 2021, meticulously establishing a false audit trail to divert suspicion. The shipping container containing the brooms arrived at its destination, an industrial unit on the Darenth Industrial Estate in Kent, on October 23, 2021.
On October 25, officers from the Metropolitan Police and the NCA attended the unit, where they intercepted the unloading of the mops and broom handles. Five individuals involved in the operation were arrested at the scene, while the remaining two were apprehended later that day at their respective residences. All seven individuals were subsequently charged with conspiracy to import cocaine.
Detective Sergeant Nicola Hawkins, the lead investigator in the case, stated, These men were a group of career criminals with previous convictions for similar offenses. Miranda and his accomplices played a hands-on role in the importation and were caught red-handed by officers, who had been diligently watching and building strong evidence against them.
The trial revealed significant incriminating evidence against one of the defendants. Data recovered from Yuni Alexis Pacheco Miranda’s phone presented a wealth of information, including images depicting the application of cocaine onto the broom handles in Colombia.
With Londoners’ safety as a top priority, the Metropolitan Police aims to combat drug supply chains and purge the streets of those involved in drug-related crimes. Detective Sergeant Hawkins emphasized the ongoing collaboration between the Metropolitan Police and the NCA in achieving this objective, stating, In order to continue to accomplish this goal, the Met maintains a close partnership with our colleagues at the NCA.
Dean Wallbank, Senior Investigating Officer from the National Crime Agency, reiterated the commitment to tackling drug trafficking, stressing the agency’s tireless efforts to dismantle criminal gangs. In this case, collaboration with the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command proved vital in dismantling the organized criminal network responsible for the drug importation.
Following the trial, six men received lengthy prison sentences for their involvement in the drug smuggling operation. Nigel Rogers, Frank Asante, Yuni Alexis Pacheco Miranda, Daniel Oliver, Ermal Shtrezi, and Terrence Allen were each sentenced to between 13 and 29 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy.
The successful conviction serves as a testament to the dedication and persistence of law enforcement agencies in combating drug-related offenses. By working together, the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency continue to strengthen their efforts in removing drugs from the streets and ensuring public safety.
Note: Originally taken from official statement by UK London Metropolitan Police.
