Nadir Bouchelkia of Tenby Road, Walthamstow was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin. Pic: Southwark police
A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, after being found guilty of being involved in a £40m heroin smuggling operation.
Nadir Bouchelkia of Tenby Road, Walthamstow was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin which was told at Kingston Crown Court.
Detectives from the Met’s Central Task Force, who deal with criminals involved with drug abuse cases caught Bouchelkia in the act of mixing quantities of heroin at a safe house.
Bouchelkia, who was part of a drugs gang, was the 16th –member found guilty of importing millions worth of Class A drugs from mainland Europe which was then sold throughout various parts of South East London. The gang appeared to keep a low profile by running cafes in an attempt to remain hidden from investigators.
The gang of Albanians formed a criminal group which was led by Sam Qerkini – who for over 20 years had developed various associates to source, import and supply drugs in and around Europe to the streets of London.
Qerkini fled to the UK in 2010 after 20 members of his then drug ring where arrested over the conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Two drug factories and an estimated street value of £375 million of heroin was found. He was sentenced to 12 years for the conspiracy that ran between 2008 and 2010, as well as 22 years for this recent crime that ran between 2012 and 2013. The gang where all charged with the conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and between them are serving 157 years.
Detective Inspector Nick Blackburn of the Met’s Central Task Force, said “This outstanding result reflects the dedication of a Specialist Team of Detectives who have achieved significant sentences for those concerned. The Organised Crime Group has been dismantled from importation level to street-level distributors. This is indicative of the Met’s Total War on Organised Crime and should send out a strong message to those currently engaged in such activity.”
