Three Men Jailed for Over 30 Years in Major Drug and Weapons Bust
Three criminals have been locked up for a combined 30+ years following a massive organised crime crackdown. The gang smuggled huge quantities of Class A drugs and cash across London, the Midlands, and the West Country.
Kingpin Adil Riaz Gets 24 Years for Cocaine and Firearms
Adil Riaz, 31, from sheffield/" title="Sheffield" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sheffield, copped a hefty 24-year sentence. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply over 160kg of cocaine from Sheffield to Bath’s drug lord, Romaine Hyman. He also laundered more than £2.3 million in dirty cash.
South Yorkshire Police arrested Riaz after uncovering a deadly weapons stash at his address, which included a fully automatic AR-15 assault rifle, silencers, ammunition, and three hand grenades. Neighbours had to evacuate as the Army stepped in to deal with the explosives.
Drug Boss Romaine Hyman Serving 26 Years
The crime network’s mastermind, Romaine Hyman, was jailed for 26 years earlier this year. He played a central role in supplying both cocaine and heroin across the South West and laundering millions in illicit profits.
Young ‘Assistant’ and Supplier Also Sentenced
- Tekla Selassie, 20, from Bath, got three years in a young offenders’ institution. Using the EncroChat handle ‘Youngtek’, he helped Hyman move drugs and cash around Bath and Bristol. He acted as a lookout during drug drops and helped transport £540,000 cash and kilos of cocaine. Selassie admitted five offences and was just 17 when caught in the criminal web.
- Tobias Slender, 44, from Cheltenham, got five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply 2kg of cocaine to Hyman in three separate deliveries.
Police and Prosecutors React
DCI Charlotte Tucker, SW ROCU: “This investigation has smashed a drug empire making millions in the South West. The sheer scale of drugs, cash and weapons seized shows how dangerous these criminals were. Romaine Hyman wanted to dodge the risk and train a teenager to do the dirty work. Our work isn’t over – more sentences and trials are coming.”
Ruona Iguyovwe, CPS prosecutor: “These men were crucial players in a highly organised gang flooding the South West with Class A drugs. The weapons and drugs seized would have devastated communities if left unchecked. Thanks to close police and CPS work, we’ve struck a vital blow against this criminal network.”
DI Flanagan, South Yorkshire Police: “Locking up Adil Riaz and removing these lethal weapons has made our region safer. Riaz was part of a national organised crime group. His imprisonment should warn anyone thinking they’re above the law — they’re not.”
