Leeds man caged for six years after huge £17 million cannabis haul from California is busted by Border Force.
£17 Million Weed Smuggled in Leather Goods
James Montgomery, 44, from Pinfold Lane, Methley, was the key player in a massive drug import ring. He was named as the intended receiver of a gigantic 213 kilograms of cannabis, vacuum-packed and sneaked inside leather merchandise. The stash was meant for a Castleford address in Allerton Bywater.
Border Force officers caught the shipment at East Midlands Airport on 30 October 2024, setting off a major probe by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU). Montgomery tried to cover his tracks but cops smashed his cover. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and was locked up at Leeds Crown Court last week.
Major Disruption to Organised Crime
Detective Chief Inspector Al Burns from YHROCU said:
“I’m pleased that by working with partner agencies we intercepted a huge amount of cannabis worth millions on the street. This sentence sends a strong message: anyone involved in the illegal drug trade will be found and punished.
The scale of this operation shows how serious the threat from organised criminals is, and we will keep dismantling their networks to protect our communities.”
The seizure is one of the biggest recent drug busts in the region and raises fresh alarm about drug gangs flooding UK streets through global smuggling routes.
Cross-Border Crime Crackdown
The sting was only possible because of tight teamwork between Border Force, YHROCU, and international partners. The investigation is ongoing to sniff out more gang members and supply lines.
Montgomery’s jail term deals a heavy blow to the criminal gang behind the operation. Police urge the public to report suspicious drug activity.
If you spot suspicious drug crimes, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the National Crime Agency.
