Drug Duo Slapped with Heavy Jail Time for £3 Million Cocaine Haul
Two smugglers caught red-handed with 39 kilograms of cocaine worth £3 million have been locked up for more than a decade each. Marain Macovei, 25, from Germany, and Iulian-Ioan Stratulat, 25, from Romania, faced Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, 1 March.
Stopped at French Border with Van Full of Cocaine
On 29 August 2020, Macovei was driving a Renault Trafic van through Coquelles border controls in France. Stratulat told officers they were bound for a day trip to London, claiming to carry “post and beer.” But suspicion grew when Stratulat was found with an encrypted phone—often used by criminals to dodge detection.
A vehicle search revealed tightly taped packets of white powder hidden behind plastic panels inside the van. Tests confirmed the haul was cocaine. In total, border forces discovered roughly 39 kilograms packed in secret compartments on both sides of the van’s interior.
Both Denied Knowledge but Faced Jail After Trial
Despite denying any knowledge and blaming each other as the ringleader, the men couldn’t escape justice. Macovei flipped and pleaded guilty in February 2021. Stratulat fought the charges but was found guilty after a two-day trial later that month.
They were sentenced to 12½ years and 15 years 9 months, respectively.
NCA Boss Cracks Down on Dangerous Drug Trade
“This seizure and the investigation that followed has kept a huge quantity of cocaine off UK streets,” said Martin Grace, Branch Commander at the National Crime Agency (NCA).
“Marain Macovei and Iulian-Ioan Stratulat sought quick cash from a trade that fuels violence and exploitation across the UK and the global supply chain.”
“Class A drug dealing is almost always linked to serious organised crime, with local communities suffering the consequences. Working with partners like Border Force, we are determined to stop these criminal networks.”
