an estimated street value of approximately £5.7 million.
Nabil Chaudhry, aged 31, of Northampton, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after police uncovered more than £5 million worth of cocaine in the back of a van which was branded with the Gucci logo.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that the stash of Class A drugs was found in a secret compartment inside the vehicle following a raid at a Doncaster petrol station.
Chaudhry was arrested following an intelligence-led investigation carried out by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command team.
On July 20, 2019, plain-clothed officers stopped and approached Chaudhry after he arrived at a petrol station in a van on the A1 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
However, he attempted to escape, fighting the officers as he tried to re-enter his vehicle. Chaudhry initially refused to hand over the keys but officers managed to obtain them after arresting him.
Officers subsequently searched the van and discovered purpose-built panelling which had been screwed into the back of a van. Behind it, officers found 45 individually wrapped 1kg blocks branded with the Gucci logo.
They were later found to contain cocaine, with an estimated street value of approximately £5.7 million.
Following an examination of his encrypted device, further evidence was obtained of Chaudhry being involved in the distribution of a further 75kg of Class A drugs.
Financial enquiries also showed that nearly £50,000 of cash deposits were made into his current account that was unaccounted for.
Detective Inspector Glenn Butler, of the Met Police, said:
“The drugs being carried in this vehicle were believed to be destined for distribution on the streets of London.”
“There is an undeniable link between drug supply and violence, much of which we have witnessed across the capital in recent months.
“By intercepting the delivery of millions of pounds worth of Class A drugs, I am confident we have prevented harm coming to Londoners, and those who choose to visit our city.”
On February 11, 2020, Chaudhry pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between July 2018 and July 2019.
DI Butler added: “I am proud of the dedication and proactivity of my teams which has resulted in this sentence today.
“The detection of this criminality should send a warning to anyone considering carrying out similar acts that we will use all powers available to us to bring you to justice.”
On Friday, August 21, 2020, Chaudhry was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison.
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