ORGANISED CRIME GROUP SENTENCED

Five members of an organised crime group were sentenced last week at Isleworth Crown Court to a total of more than 80 years’ imprisonment for their part in a drugs conspiracy prosecuted by John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin. The case involved the importation of more than 300 kilos of cocaine and heroin, with a street value of more than £50 million. The lorry driver who on five occasions brought most of the drugs into the UK via Harwich port received 16 years, having previously been convicted at trial. Four other members of the OCG, including its head, who had all previously pleaded guilty, received sentences ranging from 21 years to 10 years 1 month. The Court set a timetable for confiscation proceedings.

John Ojakovoh and Edward Franklin prosecuted the case for the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate. The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.