Gangland Enforcer Peter Cordwell Slapped with 11-Year Drug Jail Term
A feared gangland enforcer and debt collector has finally been locked up after a National Crime Agency (NCA) crackdown on drugs crime.
Peter Cordwell, 49, notorious for his violent past, was sentenced to 11 years and six months at Snaresbrook Crown Court today. The Essex-based criminal pleaded guilty to running a huge supply of cocaine and amphetamine.
‘Mightyjedi’ Busted on Encrypted Chats
The towering 6ft 4in Cordwell, who lived in a gated mansion in Ilford, Essex, operated on the secretive EncroChat platform under the alias ‘Mightyjedi’. His encrypted messages revealed he was moving multi-kilogram shipments of ultra-pure cocaine and amphetamines.
- At least 32 kilos of cocaine worth around £2.5 million
- 90 kilos of amphetamine supplied between Nov 2019 and Aug 2020
- Demanded huge payments from buyers, including £112,000 for four kilos
Despite multiple arrests and four police interviews, Cordwell refused to cooperate, sticking to a “no comment” stance.
Crime Group Members Also Jailed
Two more members of Cordwell’s organised crime gang were also sentenced today.
- Warren Smith, 40, from Essex, got 13 years 5 months for conspiring to import cocaine and supplying 58 kilos of cocaine plus 200 kilos of cannabis.
- Mustafa Ismail, 44, received 14 years 5 months for importing 272 kilos of cannabis and supplying cocaine and MDMA. He has a previous money laundering conviction.
- Matthew Roberts, 47, based in Cornwall, was jailed for nine years last year for involvement in cocaine and cannabis supply, working as a courier between Cornwall and Essex.
NCA Boss Hails Massive Operation Venetic Success
Dean Wallbank, NCA Operations Manager: “By dismantling Cordwell’s crime group, we have put an end to the harm it was bringing to UK streets. These men were supplying large quantities of Class A drugs across Essex and as far as Cornwall. Cordwell was also a feared enforcer.”
“Our work continues to fight the class A drugs threat and protect the public.”
Operation Venetic, the UK’s response to the EncroChat takedown in 2020, has already led to over 3,100 arrests and more than 1,200 convictions. The operation has seized 9 tonnes of Class A drugs, over 3,400 rounds of ammunition, and £81 million in criminal cash.
This is a major win in the battle against organised crime and drug dealing across the UK.
