Gang Convicted After £200M Cocaine Smuggling Attempt Using Banana Shipment
A sophisticated gang has been convicted after attempting a £200 million UK cocaine smuggling attempt, concealing the drugs within a shipment of bananas. This case highlights the evolving tactics of drug trafficking networks and the dedicated efforts of UK law enforcement to disrupt these operations. After a lengthy investigation, UK authorities revealed how they managed to foil one of the largest drug seizures ever seen in the country.
In February 2021, Bulgarian national Petko Zhutev, along with associates Ghergii Diko and Bruno Kuci, orchestrated a well-planned UK cocaine smuggling attempt using Agro Food Ltd, a legitimate produce company. The gang believed that operating through an established import-export business would allow them to smuggle the cocaine undetected. However, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force, already monitoring their activities, intercepted the shipment of bananas arriving from South America at Portsmouth.
The smugglers’ plot was clever: they used a reputable business as cover for their UK cocaine smuggling attempt. After seizing the cocaine, authorities replaced it with real bananas and embedded audio devices within some of the crates. Two undercover officers, posing as lorry drivers, delivered the “bananas” to the company’s warehouse in North London, where Zhutev and his associates eagerly awaited what they believed to be a successful shipment. Their plan was quickly thwarted when armed officers stormed the warehouse, arresting the suspects and exposing the gang’s smuggling operation.
The scale of this UK cocaine smuggling attempt has underscored the challenges facing law enforcement. According to John Coles, head of the NCA’s specialist operations, this case represents “a significant seizure” and highlights how organised crime groups are finding increasingly resourceful ways to operate. This case is one of the largest drug interceptions in the UK’s history, emphasising the ongoing battle to tackle the country’s cocaine trade. Coles noted that the gang’s use of Agro Food Ltd provided an added layer of deception, demonstrating just how far these groups are willing to go to evade detection.
The NCA and Metropolitan Police, working in coordination with international partners, continue to combat trafficking operations like this UK cocaine smuggling attempt. Recent reports from the United Nations show that cocaine trafficking into Europe is on the rise, with the UK identified as a key destination. This case highlights the multinational nature of modern organised crime and the need for a coordinated response. The NCA and its allies are prepared for an ongoing fight, adapting their tactics as smugglers find new ways to exploit legitimate businesses for their own gain.
For more updates on the UK’s ongoing efforts to combat organised crime and further insights into similar cases, visit EyeOnLondon for the latest news and in-depth analysis.
