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66 years in jail for gang who imported cocaine with £34m street value (15 February 2016)

Date: 15/02/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, 66 years in jail for gang who imported cocaine with £34m street value

The Old Bailey has sentenced three men to a total of 66 years in jail, after they pleaded guilty to smuggling nearly 270kg of cocaine into the UK.

Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright smuggled the Class A drug into Britain using a light aircraft, with Dowling as the ringleader of the gang.

Dowling was also sentenced for money laundering and further drugs offences, in a separate investigation called Operation Kazak.

Jamie Williams was also sentenced for drugs and firearms offences in a separate investigation called Operation Goosewing.

The drugs had a street value of around £34 million said the police.

Mark Dowling was sentenced to 24 years for conspiracy to import cocaine.

Jamie Williams was sentenced to 18 years for conspiracy to import cocaine and a further five years for firearms offences, to be served consecutively.

Andrew Wright was sentenced to 19 years for conspiracy to import cocaine.

After sentencing, reviewing lawyer in the Organised Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, Adrian Flasher, said:

“Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were part of a major drug smuggling conspiracy.

“This was a highly sophisticated operation, involving the use of an aviation company which was a front to smuggle cocaine by plane.

“The operation was led by Mark Dowling, with Jamie Williams as his trusted lieutenant and Andrew Wright as his pilot.

“When Andrew Wright was arrested in November 2014, thirty-four packages of cocaine weighing a kilo each were found, with an estimated street value of £4.25 million.

“Wright had flown the same journey eight times, with an estimated 268 kilos of cocaine having been imported.

“Extensive evidence was collated including flight records, bank accounts and observation evidence, which was reviewed and analysed by the CPS and presented in such a way as to demonstrate a compelling case, leaving these men with no option but to plead guilty.

“These sentences send a clear message that organised crime, no matter how sophisticated, can and will be successfully prosecuted by the CPS.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a charge involving manufacturing, importing, distributing or selling Class A or Class B drugs.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence lawyers.

For expert legal advice on all charges relating to drugs offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.


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