A major drug trafficking ring responsible for importing and distributing nearly half a tonne of cocaine, valued at up to £17 million, across London has been dismantled following a successful investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Bert De Jong, 59, Hussain Sakhi, 22, and Zaibaa Zahur, 21, were found guilty of conspiracy to evade importation laws and supply cocaine at Kingston Crown Court on April 7. A fourth member of the gang, Justyn Morris, 23, had already pleaded guilty to the same charges on March 11.
Multi-Million Pound Operation Uncovered
The gang operated a sophisticated supply chain smuggling cocaine from the Netherlands into the UK using lorries. The drugs were then passed through a distribution network across London, with handovers taking place on a weekly basis outside the capital before reaching street-level dealers.
The breakthrough in the case came on July 17, 2024, when Morris was observed driving a van from a holiday let in Marsham, near Norwich, to meet De Jong at an industrial estate. Officers witnessed a suspected handover, with De Jong passing three cardboard boxes to Morris.
Upon intercepting the van, police discovered 70kg of cocaine concealed behind black cladding. The street value of the haul was estimated between £1.75 million and £2.45 million.
Later that day, Sakhi and Zahur were spotted visiting the holiday property under the guise of “viewing” it, which further aroused suspicion. Officers detained them and uncovered phone messages linking all four to the operation, including messages exchanged with an unidentified contact who had also communicated with Morris.
Drug Ledgers Expose Massive Supply Chain
An extensive investigation followed the arrests, with detectives uncovering detailed drug ledgers documenting the group’s activity. The records confirmed the gang had trafficked close to 500kg of cocaine, representing a wholesale operation on a massive scale.
De Jong, who had been responsible for importing the drugs from mainland Europe, was arrested again upon re-entering the UK on July 23, 2024. Although he denied knowledge of the drugs, forensic analysis of his phone revealed he had sent coded messages or “tokens” confirming delivery to his associates.
Detective Praises Officers’ Work
Detective Constable Leon Ure, of the Met’s Specialist Crime South team, led the investigation and praised the officers involved:
“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation to dismantle a group supplying drugs across London.
“Drug dealing has a huge impact on Londoners – it fuels further crime and impacts the heart of our communities. This group is an example of how we will investigate and hold offenders to account.”
Sentencing Due This Week
All four defendants are due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, April 11.
The conviction comes as part of a broader proactive crackdown on high-level drug trafficking networks operating in and around the capital. Authorities say the bust highlights their commitment to disrupting organised crime and protecting communities from the devastating effects of drug-related violence and exploitation.
