Massive £16.5m Drug Haul Busted at Dover Border
Ross Patrick Deffley, 26, from Solihull, has been locked up for a decade after Border Force smashed a huge drug smuggling attempt at Dover on 21 September 2021.
Deffley was caught driving a van packed with boxes of nitrous oxide canisters meant for catering. But a surprise search revealed an astonishing 183 kilos of heroin and cocaine hidden inside.
Fingerprint Evidence Nails ‘Catering’ Cover-Up
The National Crime Agency (NCA) found Deffley’s DNA and fingerprints on multiple packages containing 97 kilos of heroin and 86 kilos of cocaine. An extendable baton was also discovered inside the van’s cab.
Though claiming the drugs were catering supplies, the stash was actually bound for a residential address linked to Deffley. Investigators uncovered that he had recently set up companies to transport nitrous oxide canisters as a front for smuggling the Class A drugs.
Sentenced to 10 Years – NCA Cracks Down on Crime Boss
On 6 January at Canterbury Crown Court, Deffley was convicted of two counts of attempting to import Class A drugs and an earlier charge of possessing an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
He’s now facing a confiscation probe under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize any cash or valuables earned from his illegal dealings.
Officials Warn: Drug Supply Breeds Violence and Harm
NCA Branch Commander Mark Howes said: “This seizure involved a huge haul of Class A drugs with an estimated street value of £16.5 million. It deals a serious blow to the criminal network behind it. Organised crime groups linked to drug trafficking fuel violence and exploitation in our communities. Cutting off their supply protects the public from the harm these dangerous drugs cause. “We’re proud to work closely with Border Force on the frontline to crack down on drug smuggling.”
Dave Smith, Regional Director Border Force South East & Europe said: “Drug supply chains destroy neighbourhoods with violence and exploitation. The sentencing of Deffley sends a clear message – we’re relentless in stopping illegal drugs crossing our borders. “Our officers involved in this high-profile seizure deserve credit for keeping these dangerous drugs out of our communities.”
