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Two drug dealers from South West Wales have been jailed for a total of more than 14 years for importing more than £1.5m worth of cannabis from South Africa.
Despite hatching an elaborate plan to import 650kgs of cannabis into Avonmouth Docks, near Bristol - concealed in crates containing furniture - which was being imported from South Africa, the organised gang, were thwarted by Zephyr, the south west regional organised crime unit, working alongside the National Crime Agency and UK Border Force.Karl Richter-John, aged 43, formerly of Spain, now Rhondda Street, Mount Pleasant, Swansea has been jailed for nine years.He will also be subject to Serious Crime Prevention Order when he is released from prison, which places various restrictions on the use of mobile phones and computers.And Malcolm John, aged 52, of Penybryn Avenue, Burry Port, was sentenced to five years and four months.The court previously heard that on 1 October 2013 a shipment of seven creates – believed to contain furniture being imported from South Africa – was given a routine inspection by UKBF.
They discovered 650kgs of cannabis in three of the crates, which triggered an investigation to discover the UK recipient of the cargo and those involved in the smuggling lt.
As the lorry was due to deliver the load to a storage yard in Avonmouth, Zephyr were notified and launched the investigation.
Detectives assumed the role of delivery drivers and called the intended recipient to advise the cargo was on route.
One of the defendants – Malcolm John – agreed to take receipt of the cargo at the storage yard.
The cannabis was delivered to Avonmouth Docks, near Bristol.
The owner of the yard knew nothing of the illegal cargo that had been arranged by John. When the lorry arrived at the yard the cargo Malcolm John took receipt of the crates which were placed into two shipping containers rented from the storage yard.
Malcolm John returned to his home address in Burry Port. He contacted Karl Richter-John – believed to be the ringleader of the operation – who was living in Spain and was later extradited to the UK.
Malcolm John was arrested at his home address and a search of a lock-up unit in Heol-y-Gars Road in Swansea undertaken, where a 20-tonne press and packaging material – used in drug trafficking operations – was discovered.
Cannabis worth more than £1.5million was seized.
At the end of the trial, Judge Roach commended the Zephyr officers on the quality of their investigation.
DI Austin Goss of Zephyr said: "We are extremely pleased with the sentences handed out today which deliver a clear message to those involved in the illegal activity of drug dealing that it will not be tolerated.
"We remain committed to dismantle, disrupt and destroy organised crime and illegal drug activity in the South West region. This was complex multi-agency operation which will have a significant impact for the local community in South Wales and the South West region.
"This operation has been a team effort with Zephyr officers and staff, working closely with colleagues in the National Crime Agency and UK Border Agency.
"The sentences should send out a clear warning to those involved in drug activity that they will be hunted down and put before the courts.
"We will now begin the process under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seek a confiscation order from the courts to ensure that any benefits of the crime are removed from the offenders," said DI Goss.
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-Burry-Port-drug-smugglers-jailed-1/story-28768988-detail/story.html#ixzz40iShIV28
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