A cunning gang in Peterborough tried to smuggle over 12kg of cocaine to Australia by hiding it inside wildlife and travel books. The clever ruse was smashed by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), stopping a major drug haul dead in its tracks.
Hidden Cocaine Found in Travel Books
Early in 2025, ERSOU caught on to suspicious packages sent from Peterborough and Stamford. Working closely with Border Force, officers uncovered four shipments stuffed with cocaine concealed inside tampered Lonely Planet travel guides.
But the plot thickened — three more parcels had already landed in Australia, where customs nailed more of the dodgy Class A drugs.
Raids Lead to Arrests, Guns and More Drugs
On March 20, 2025, police launched a series of raids, rounding up Troy Batchelor, Luke Mills, and James Kulesza. The swoop also led to the seizure of an extendable baton, a firearm, and several mobile phones linked to the operation.
