UK’s Most Wanted Man Jailed for Smuggling Cocaine in Banana Boxes
Dangerous Man Sent to Jail
Jamie Stevenson, one of the UK’s most wanted criminals, has been sent to prison for 20 years. Police say he is a “dangerous person” who was behind a big plan to bring drugs into Scotland.
Cocaine Hidden in Bananas
Stevenson helped to smuggle almost a ton of cocaine from South America to the UK. The drugs were hidden inside banana boxes from Ecuador and were sent to a fruit shop in Glasgow. Police caught the shipment in September 2020 at Dover.
Big Police Investigation
The police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) worked together in “Operation Pepperoni” to catch Stevenson and his team. They also used information from a secret criminal phone system called EncroChat to make hundreds of arrests.
Drugs Worth Millions
The cocaine Stevenson smuggled could be worth around £100 million. Stevenson, also known as “Iceman,” admitted to overseeing the operation.
Past Crimes
Stevenson had been in trouble with the law before. In 2007, he was sent to prison for money laundering. His criminal activities were compared to the famous TV show The Sopranos about gangsters.
Caught While on the Run
In 2020, Stevenson ran away from the UK after police found an illegal drug factory in Kent. He was caught in the Netherlands while jogging and was brought back to the UK to face trial.
Others Involved Also Jailed
Many other people who worked with Stevenson have also gone to prison. One man, Paul Bowes, was sent to jail for six years for helping to make and sell illegal drugs. Several others were given prison sentences ranging from three to seven years.
Harmful Effects of Drugs
Police say the drugs Stevenson tried to bring into the UK would have caused much harm to people. He had criminal connections worldwide, including South America and Europe, and didn’t care about the safety of others.
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