A 32-year-old international drug dealer has been jailed for six years after attempting to import large quantities of cannabis into the UK through Stansted Airport. Samson Kuteyi, of Nags Head Road, Enfield, North London, was operating a large-scale drug supply operation, employing at least seven people to sell cannabis both directly and through secondary dealers.
Massive Drug Import Operation
Kuteyi pleaded guilty to multiple charges at Chelmsford Crown Court, including being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs, fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of Class B drugs, and copying a false instrument with intent to be accepted as genuine.
Investigators revealed that between February 2023 and April 2023, Kuteyi imported between 89 and 95 kilograms of cannabis from the USA and Canada into the UK. More than 23 kilograms of cannabis were intercepted by Border Force at Stansted Airport between August 2022 and June 2023, preventing the drugs from reaching their intended destinations.
The seized cannabis was found vacuum-packed in half-kilogram packages, all shipped from the USA to UK addresses. Border Force linked airway bill reference numbers back to Kuteyi, leading to his arrest.
Luxury Lifestyle Funded by Drugs
Kuteyi was arrested at Heathrow Airport on April 22, 2023, while preparing to board a flight to Los Angeles. Officers seized two phones, over £7,000 in cash, $500 in US currency, and a Rolex watch worth £43,000.
A forensic examination of his phones uncovered evidence of large-scale cannabis purchases in North America and links to a distribution network in the UK. Police determined that Kuteyi supplied at least 14 kilograms of cannabis to UK buyers, in addition to his importation activities.
Authorities Speak Out
Acting Detective Inspector Mike Monkton of Essex Police emphasized the harm caused by Kuteyi’s operation, saying:
“Samson Kuteyi was an international drug dealer involved in selling cannabis on a commercial scale, employing at least seven people. Drugs are a poison on our society, infecting communities, and ruining lives.
Monkton added that the police will now work to recover Kuteyi’s illicit profits under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Impact on Communities
Authorities highlighted the link between drug dealing and violence, warning that large-scale drug operations like Kuteyi’s contribute to the destabilization of communities. The seizure of his assets and sentencing marks a significant step in disrupting this harmful trade.
Kuteyi’s conviction underscores law enforcement’s commitment to tackling the illegal drug trade and protecting communities from its damaging effects.
