Gang Jailed for Smuggling £1.92m Cocaine in Vintage Cadillac
A gang used a 1953 Cadillac to smuggle £1.92 million worth of cocaine from Peru into the UK. Seven men received nearly 100 years in prison after being caught involved in the operation, which included importing and dismantling the car to transport cocaine. Law enforcement uncovered sophisticated smuggling methods and secured various convictions relating to the conspiracy.
A gang utilized a 1953 Cadillac sedan to smuggle cocaine valued at £1.92 million into the UK from Peru. Seven individuals were sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison for their roles in importing and dismantling the vehicle, which contained 64 kg of the Class A substance. Authorities were unaware that the Cadillac was not simply a collector’s item as it made its arrival on January 25, 2023, at a Grays workshop.
The Cadillac, which traveled over 6,000 miles, was filled with considerable amounts of cocaine. Law enforcement apprehended the suspects after halting a grey Mercedes on the M1 in February 2024, where they found Paulino Soares, 33, Juan Valle Tellez, 32, and Raul Ruiz Jurado, 29. Soares had a history with police for cocaine distribution, raising suspicions during their travel.
A search revealed 18 kg of cocaine in a purple suitcase, with a wholesale value over £549,000, translating to £1.48 million on the UK streets. Wireless communication devices, a large cash sum, various currencies, ID cards, and a baseball bat were also seized from the vehicle. Further investigation showed Tellez and Jurado had arrived from Mexico and Peru, respectively, to finalize the cocaine importation.
Additional suspects, including Mohammed Ilyas and Naheem Rafiq from Bradford, purchased kilos from the Cadillac. The gang’s operations extended to Cohen and Shriki in London, who were also complicit in the distribution process. Searches of their residences unveiled more drugs and substantial cash.
Multiple individuals were eventually charged and pleaded guilty to cocaine-related offences. Sentences varied, with Juan Pablo Valle-Tellez and Raul Ruiz-Jurado receiving 16.5 years for conspiracy to supply drugs. Paulino Soares was sentenced to 15 years, while others received varying sentences ranging from 9.5 years to 15 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Brown reported that this case exemplified a high-level organized crime group. “What we uncovered was a very sophisticated operation,” he stated, highlighting their use of encrypted communication and money laundering tactics. Despite the efforts to evade law enforcement, the long prison terms affirm that those involved have been held accountable for their criminal activities.
This case highlights the complexity and sophistication of drug trafficking operations involving international cooperation and communication challenges. The substantial prison sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes and the law enforcement’s success in dismantling a high-level organized crime group. The efforts made by police underscore the ongoing battle against drug smuggling and organized crime, evidencing the importance of vigilance in addressing such issues.
Original Source: www.echo-news.co.uk
