Two Drug Smugglers Sent Down for 15 Years Over Cocaine In Cans Plot
Daniel Kelly, 43, and Steven Gilhooly, 43, both with no fixed address, have been sentenced to a combined 15 years behind bars for trying to smuggle Class A drugs into the UK. The crafty pair hid nearly 3kg of cocaine inside cans disguised as tinned goods, but police were one step ahead.
Jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court
The duo were locked up on Wednesday, 12 January, after a joint probe by the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA). Kelly pleaded guilty on 4 January, while Gilhooly was found guilty by a jury a week later.
The court heard how two parcels were sent from St Lucia in December 2018, supposedly containing tinned coconut milk and beans. But customs found 1.95kg of cocaine in one and 792g in the other – hidden in plain sight.
How The Smuggle Unfolded
- Kelly and Gilhooly flew from London Gatwick to St Lucia on 16 December 2018, carrying a can-sealing machine in their luggage. They claimed it was a holiday trip.
- They bought condiments and empty tins to reseal after stuffing cocaine inside.
- Kelly sent the parcels from a St Lucian post office using a fake driving licence with his photo but false details.
- The NCA worked with St Lucian authorities through an International Letter of Request to gather key evidence.
- The Met’s Trident Team was already investigating the pair for separate offences, leading to a joint operation.
Police Crackdown Halts Drug Plot
Kelly was arrested from prison in January 2020, already serving time for another crime, and Gilhooly was caught the following month. They were charged in April 2021.
The cocaine’s estimated street value was a massive £250,000.
Detective Inspector Matthew Webb said: “This sentencing shows our commitment to tackling serious crime. Thanks to Detective Constable Phil Price, the NCA, Border Force and St Lucian authorities. This sends a clear message: we will leave no stone unturned to stop drug importation.”
“Both men went to St Lucia to bring Class A drugs back to the UK. The damage drugs cause to communities is linked to violence. These offenders thought they were clever but now face heavy jail time. Crime doesn’t pay.”
NCA Branch Commander Mark McCormack added: “We’re fighting international organised crime networks smuggling Class A drugs. These men tried to exploit fast parcel systems but were stopped by cooperation between the NCA, Border Force and the Met. We won’t let criminals profit from drugs on our streets.”
