Three Jailed for Over 30 Years in Major Drug and Cash Smuggling Ring
Three men have been locked up today, 1 November 2022, for a combined total of more than 30 years. They were at the heart of a ruthless organised crime network moving vast amounts of drugs and cash between London, the Midlands, and the West Country.
Kingpin Adil Riaz Gets 24 Years Over £2.3 Million Laundering and Huge Cocaine Haul
Adil Riaz, 31, formerly of Grimesthorpe, Sheffield, was handed a whopping 24-year sentence. The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) caught him after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply over 160kg of cocaine from Sheffield to Bath-based crime boss Romaine Hyman. Riaz also admitted laundering more than £2.3 million in dirty cash.
On top of this, Riaz faced two Sheffield-based charges — linked to 2020 robberies and weapons offences. Police uncovered a fully automatic AR-15 assault rifle, silencers, ammo, and three live IED hand grenades at a property tied to him. Local residents were evacuated as the Army safely disposed of the deadly arsenal.
Romaine Hyman: South West Drug Lord Sentenced to 26 Years
Romaine Hyman, the gang’s central figure, was already locked away for 26 years in February. He masterminded four conspiracies supplying cocaine and heroin across the South West while laundering millions.
Young Assistant Tekla Selassie Gets 3 Years for Helping Run Drug Ring
Twenty-year-old Tekla Selassie, formerly of Eastfield Avenue, Bath, was sentenced to three years in a young offenders’ institution. As Hyman’s right-hand man, Selassie handled drug and cash collections across Bath and bristol/" title="Bristol" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bristol. Using the EncroChat handle ‘Youngtek,’ he helped deliver drugs and serve as lookout during deals — even cycling around town to scout for police before large drops.
During one bust in May 2020, police caught both men red-handed with seven kilos of cocaine from London. Selassie pleaded guilty to five offences.
Cheltenham Man Tobias Slender Jailed for 5 Years
Tobias Slender, 44, from Cheltenham, was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to supply 2kg of cocaine to Hyman on multiple occasions.
Police Praise Team Effort That Crushed Dangerous Crime Gang
DCI Charlotte Tucker from SWROCU said: “This investigation dismantled an organised crime network making millions smuggling Class A drugs into the South West. Seven people have been sentenced so far, with the kingpin Romaine Hyman serving 26 years.
“Messages from Hyman to Selassie — who was just 17 at the time — showed his plan to stay clear of risky hands-on work while grooming others. The volume of drugs, the cash, and the deadly weapons seized proved the real danger this group posed.”
“It’s a huge win for our teams working closely with the CPS. There are more people awaiting sentencing and trials.”
Ruona Iguyovwe, CPS senior specialist prosecutor, added: “These men played major roles in a sophisticated gang supplying Class A drugs to the South West. The quantity of drugs and weapons seized could have devastated communities. Early police and CPS collaboration led to strong convictions and a major blow to organised crime.”
DI Flanagan from South Yorkshire Police said: “South Yorkshire and the surrounding areas are safer thanks to the conviction of Adil Riaz and the seizure of dangerous weapons. Riaz was part of a national organised crime group involved in wholesale Class A drugs and serious crime.
“His imprisonment shows no one is above the law. South Yorkshire Police are determined to bring criminals to justice.”
