Members of an Albanian drug smuggling gang who stashed vast quantities of cocaine inside car dashboards have been jailed for a combined total of 43 years.
They hid the drugs in compartments that could only be accessed by pressing a combination of buttons on the dash and a USB cable, Kingston Crown Court heard.
Lulezim Zefi, 36, was the leader of the gang, which also included four mules who were arrested after a raid by National Crime Agency officers on April 27 at a Brentwood retail park.
Admir Simeqi, 41, was observed delivering 3kg to Gergi Marku, 25, before dropping another 2kg to Marku and Admir Bici, both 26.
They hid the substances in compartments that could only be accessed by pressing a combination of buttons on the dash and a USB cable, Kingston Crown Court heard
In total, the drugs seized had a potential street value of at £720,000. Pictured: Cash recovered during the arrest
Lulezim Zefi (left), 36, was the gang’s leader, which also included four mules who were arrested after a raid by National Crime Agency officers on April 27 at a Brentwood retail park. Right: Admir Simeqi, 41, who was observed delivering 3kg of cocaine to other men
A further 4kg haul was later found stashed inside a hydraulic concealment in the boot of Simeqi’s car.
In total, the drugs seized had a potential street value of at £720,000.
Zefi met with his lieutenants Valon Bajgora, 34, and Valentin Malocaj, 36, at a restaurant in West Hampstead, northwest London, where all three men were arrested.
The group had been under surveillance for weeks prior to their arrests and were seen to meet frequently at cafes, restaurants and their home addresses.
Bajgora and Zefi were arrested after handing over £153,000 in cash to Kamel Safieddine, 46, at a flat in Kilburn, northwest London.
Searches of premises linked to the gang found a further £110,000 in cash as well as sets of weighing scales and equipment found to contain traces of cocaine and cutting agents.
Also found at Marku’s address was an NCA Cash Seizure Notice issued to the driver of a Macedonian registered lorry as it tried to leave the United Kingdom, via Dover on the April 7 this year.
That vehicle was stopped and found to contain 212,000 euros hidden in the trailer bearing Bajgora’s fingerprints and the same distinctive wrappings found on the drugs seized weeks later.
Kamel Safieddine (left), 46, was seen receiving £153,000 in cash at a flat in Kilburn, northwest London. Right: Gergi Marku, 25, who collected 3kg of cocaine
Searches of premises linked to the gang found a further £110,000 in cash as well as sets of weighing scales and equipment found to contain traces of cocaine and cutting agents. Pictured: Cash taken during the arrest
Left: Ramadan Doci, of no fixed address, who was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Right: Valon Bajgora, 34, who was arrested with the gang’s leader at a restaurant in West Hampstead
Zefi, of Turnpike Lane, Uxbridge, was jailed for 12 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering.
Malocaj, of Heritage Avenue, Colindale, northwest London, admitted the same offences and was jailed for eight years.
Bajgora, of Mortimer Crescent, Camden, northwest London, pleaded guilty to money laundering and escaping lawful custody and was jailed for two years and eight months.
Marku, of Wadham Gardens, Primrose Hill, northwest London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering and was handed a six-year sentence.
Admir Simeqi, 41, was observed delivering 3kg to Gergi Marku, 25, before dropping another 2kg to Gergi Marku and Admir Bici (pictured), both 26
Ramadan Doci, of no fixed address, was also jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Simeqi, of Ashton Road, Bristol, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and was jailed for six years and nine months.
Bici, of no fixed abode, admitted supplying cocaine and was jailed for two years and eight months.
Safieddine, Capland Street, Marylebone, northwest London, admitted money laundering and was jailed for one year and nine months.
Matt McMillan from the Organised Crime Partnership said: ‘This was a highly organised and determined criminal group involved in the wholesale distribution of cocaine on an industrial scale.
‘In an attempt to hide their illicit activity, the group’s couriers fitted their cars with specially constructed hydraulic concealments that could hold up to 15kgs of cocaine at one time.
‘As well as making a significant dent in a criminal network, this investigation saw the removal of hundreds of thousands pounds in revenue which can no longer go on to fund further criminality.’