⚓️ An elaborate plot to smuggle 600 kilos of cocaine via a yacht race was foiled, landing a crime gang in jail for over 111 years collectively! The ambitious group, including Swansea’s Karl Richter, had envisioned hiding the drugs onboard a yacht participating in a transatlantic race from St Lucia to Lagos, Portugal. The plan went awry when the race got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing them to pivot to new schemes.
Mastermind Lee McClenaghan, operating on EncroChat as ‘catwithninelives’, and his partner, Lea Talbot (‘legitimateyak’), ventured into smuggling operations involving vast amounts of cannabis and cocaine, hidden within shipments of fresh produce. Their plans were continually thwarted by law enforcement vigilance.
The Organised Crime Partnership, alongside the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police, played a key role in bringing these criminals to justice. Their efforts prevented this criminal network from flooding the UK streets with drugs, averting the associated violence and exploitation.
At Chelmsford Crown Court, several gang members, including McClenaghan and Talbot, received lengthy sentences. Meanwhile, a Canadian-based cannabis import attempt was intercepted at Southampton, involving clever concealments within toolboxes.
Detective Inspector Richard Smith credited the team effort: “The foiling of these schemes, particularly the audacious yacht race plan, has been pivotal in protecting communities from drug-related harm and crime.”
This bust is a textbook case of collaboration between enforcement agencies stopping dangerous plans in their tracks. 💥 Kudos to the dedicated teams safeguarding our streets!