A Lewisham man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in a major cocaine smuggling conspiracy that utilized corrupt baggage handlers at Gatwick Airport.
Ryan Steadman, 39, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday for his role in a sophisticated operation that saw millions of pounds worth of cocaine transported from Brazil to the UK via Spain. The operation involved couriers carrying cocaine in suitcases from Brazil through Madrid to the UK on Air Europa flights. Upon arrival at Gatwick, the couriers would leave without collecting their checked luggage, allowing the gang to smuggle the suitcases out of the airport with the help of corrupt baggage handlers.
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