Three men have been sentenced to a combined total of 71 years in prison after police thwarted their plan to distribute £35 million worth of cocaine across London and the UK. The group, part of an organised crime network, was brought to justice following a meticulous investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
The men were sentenced at Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court on Thursday, September 19, after being found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
The case first came to light in 2022 when the Metropolitan Police began investigating the suspects, using mobile phone data and other evidence to build their case. Detectives uncovered a plot to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the UK via a boat along the south coast.
Using GPS tracking, police monitored the boat’s movements and reviewed CCTV footage from several harbours to confirm the involvement of the men. Officers continued to track the vessel until it arrived at Sovereign Marina in Eastbourne, where the trio was arrested on suspicion of drug importation.
A search of the boat uncovered 350 kilograms of cocaine concealed in suitcases and holdalls.
The men were convicted on Friday, August 30, and have since been sentenced to the following terms:
- Stephen Lloyd Jones, 56, of no fixed abode, received 24 years for conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
- Tiamo Zanaj, 33, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 22 years for conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
- Kursat Kizilkaya, 33, of Avenue Road, Cornwall, was sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
Detective Inspector Lydia Stephens, who led the investigation, praised the efforts of her team, saying, “I want to commend the officers who worked tirelessly to bring this group of prolific drug dealers to justice. Our top priority is to make our streets safer by dismantling the criminal market that fuels addiction, violence, and anti-social behaviour.”
She added, “This investigation sends a clear message to criminals involved in the illegal drug trade – we will find you, and you will face the consequences.
