Drug smugglers jailed over £80m cocaine haul

Three men have been sentenced to a total of over 47 years in prison for their roles in a drug smuggling operation that led to the seizure of 780kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding £80m. The discovery was made after a lorry driver reported a break-in to his container in November 2021.

Specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police spent two years investigating the organised crime. The operation involved hiring vehicles and positioning individuals to attempt to steal the drugs. Their plans were thwarted when the lorry driver noticed the breach as he stopped at a lay-by on Lilliput Road, Northampton, on 26 November 2021.

Discovery of the drugs

Northamptonshire Police were called to the scene where bystanders reported seeing men remove large, wrapped packages from the rear of the lorry before fleeing. Within two hours, officers located a van used in the incident and recovered 11 holdalls containing drugs. A further seven holdalls of cocaine were found inside the lorry. The total seizure weighed 780kg.

The investigation by the Metropolitan Police identified Craig Le-Mare, Kelly Robertson, and Michael Weston as being involved. Officers found the trio had attempted to evade detection by switching cars, changing number plates, and falsely reporting a vehicle as stolen. Financial records and phone data were used to build the case against them.

Sentencing

Craig Le-Mare, 36, of no fixed address, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at the Old Bailey. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Judge Richard Marks KC stated Le-Mare played a significant role in the operation and dismissed the idea he was only paid £6,000 as fanciful.

Kelly Robertson, 46, of Peregrine Close, Watford, and Michael Weston, 57, of no fixed address, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges. Robertson was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court in November 2024. Weston received a sentence of 12 years and nine months at the same court in May this year.

Detective Inspector Dean Grafton, who led the Met's investigation, stated that his team meticulously unravelled the operation and conclusively proved the defendants' roles. Assistant Chief Constable Emma James of Northamptonshire Police noted the swift initial response helped secure evidence and disrupt the group's plans.