Crime Lords Jailed for Over 30 Years in Drug and Gun Bust
Three men have been locked up for a combined total of more than 30 years following a massive organised crime crackdown. The gang moved vast amounts of drugs and cash between London, the Midlands, and the West Country.
Kingpin Adil Riaz Gets 24 Years for Cocaine and Cash Laundering
Adil Riaz, 31, formerly of sheffield/" title="Sheffield" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sheffield, was sentenced to 24 years after admitting to conspiracy to supply over 160kg of cocaine from Sheffield to Bath. He also laundered more than £2.3 million in dirty cash. Riaz’s crimes came to light thanks to South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigations.
But that’s not all. Riaz faces additional charges from South Yorkshire Police connected to two robberies and firearms offences discovered at his Sheffield address. Officers found a fully automatic AR-15 assault rifle, silencers, ammunition, and three explosive hand grenades. Neighbours had to evacuate while the Army safely removed the deadly arsenal.
Romaine Hyman, The Drug Network’s Heart, Jailed for 26 Years
Bath-based Romaine Hyman was sentenced to 26 years earlier this year. He led four conspiracies involving the supply of cocaine and heroin and laundered millions of pounds from their drug empire.
Young Assistant Tekla Selassie and Supplier Tobias Slender Handed Down Sentences
- Tekla Selassie, 20, from Bath, was jailed for three years for acting as Hyman’s assistant. Using the EncroChat handle ‘Youngtek,’ he helped stash and deliver drugs and cash in Bath and bristol/" title="Bristol" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bristol.
- Tobias Slender, 44, from Cheltenham, got five years for supplying cocaine to Hyman in multiple deliveries.
Law Enforcement Praise and Ongoing Investigation
DCI Charlotte Tucker, SWROCU: “This investigation dismantled a major organised crime group making millions by flooding the South West with Class A drugs. Hyman tried to distance himself by using young assistants like Selassie, exposing the ruthless nature of their business. The scale of drugs, cash, and weapons involved posed a huge risk to our communities. The sentences reflect that risk. This is a significant win but not the end – more offenders await justice.”
Ruona Iguyovwe, CPS Senior Specialist Prosecutor: “These men played key roles in a sophisticated gang supplying deadly drugs to the South West. Had the drugs and weapons not been seized, the impact on local communities would have been devastating. Early police and CPS partnership built a strong case that shut down this dangerous network.”
DI Flanagan, South Yorkshire Police: “With Adil Riaz behind bars and his weapons removed, South Yorkshire communities are safer. The potential harm prevented cannot be overstated. Riaz was part of a national organised crime group involved in wholesale Class A drugs and serious crime. His imprisonment should warn others that no one is above the law.”
