Four men have been sentenced to a total of over 46 years in prison for their roles in a major conspiracy to supply class A drugs, following a South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) investigation linked to the attempted importation of cocaine through Southampton.
Major Drug Network Exposed
The offences were revealed after a crackdown that originally saw seven men convicted last September for trying to bring cocaine into the UK via Southampton. The ongoing probe uncovered wider criminal involvement, leading to further convictions.
Sentencing At Winchester Crown Court
On 24 April at Winchester Crown Court, Usman Majeed, Waqar Mohammed Ishfaq, Brandon Lawrence, and Nasar Ali were handed prison terms ranging from over nine years to 15 years. Majeed, Ishfaq, and Lawrence pled guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Ali was convicted of supplying cocaine.
Manchester Connections
- Usman Majeed, 40, from Manchester’s Broomfield Drive, received 15 years and three months.
- Waqar Mohammed Ishfaq, 36, from Kearsley Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 11 years and four months.
- Brandon Lawrence, 21, living on Grasmere Road, Manchester, got nine years and seven months.
- Nasar Ali, 38, from Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, was jailed for 11 years and four months.
Police Efforts Continue
SEROCU praised the successful operation for disrupting a significant drug supply route into the UK and said work remains ongoing to tackle organised crime networks exploiting the country’s ports and cities.
