Sheffield Man and Polish National Nabbed with 141kg of Cocaine
Richard Johnson, 47, from Sheffield, and 33-year-old Polish national Kamil Sokolowski were handed hefty jail terms at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 5 May.
Midnight Drug Transfer Caught on Camera
The duo were caught red-handed around midnight on 25 November 2022. Police spotted a suspicious box being passed between a lorry and van on a slip-road near the Target Roundabout in Northolt.
Inside that box? A massive 20 kilograms of pure cocaine. But that was just the start.
Officers found six more boxes in the lorry, which had rolled into the UK via the Channel Tunnel just three hours earlier. A whopping total of 141 kilograms of cocaine was seized.
Attempted Escape and Encrypted Chats Failed
Johnson and Sokolowski tried to make a run for it on foot but were quickly cornered and arrested. Police uncovered encrypted messages on their devices that showed they’d planned the handover in secret.
Johnson had even travelled from up north to pull off the dodgy deal.
Detective’s Warning After Major Drug Bust
Detective Constable Leon Ure, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “I’m certain these drugs would have fueled violent crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets.
“They thought encrypted phones and a quiet spot would keep them safe. They were wrong. Our team caught them, and I hope this sends a clear message to others involved in the illegal drug trade.”
Detective Ure added that tackling drug supply needs community help. Anyone with info should call 101 or contact charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In emergencies, always dial 999.
Jail Sentences Handed Down
- Richard Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine in February 2023. He was jailed for six years and nine months.
- Kamil Sokolowski admitted conspiracy to import cocaine in January 2023. He received a six years and eight months sentence.
