Two Men Charged after Drugs Discovery in W12

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Cocaine worth a million pounds plus found in Depot Road

The men, both Colombian, are Carlos Martinez, 40, of Chelmsford House, Holloway Road in London N7 and Sergio Quintero, 45 of Whistler Tower on Worlds End Estate in Chelsea.

They appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Thursday June 23 and were charged with the importation of 10 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The intelligence-led operation by officers from the Middle Market Drugs Partnership - in co-operation with the UK Border Agency - led to the recovery of the massive stash of cocaine and the disruption of an organised criminal network.

On the afternoon of Tuesday June 21, a package from Colombia was delivered by private courier firm to an address in Elm Grove, Cricklewood NW2.

Two men at the address took delivery, and then left the address on pedal cycles with the package. They cycled to a parked-up vehicle, in which they placed both the package and bicycles and drove away.

The travelled to a unit on a business park in Depot Road, Shepherd's Bush. A short time later police entered and found the men in the process of decanting the substance from the package into separate plastic tubs.

Two Colombian men were arrested at the scene with a third arrested nearby, were held in custody at a central London police station before appearing in court.

DI Steve Miles from the Middle Market Drugs Partnership said: "We are determined to disrupt criminal networks on all levels. Through this investigation we have successfully effected the recovery of a significant amount of drugs, no doubt destined for the streets of our cities."

 

June 23, 2011