Scots gangster was ‘key link’ in gang of UK’s ‘biggest ever drugs conspiracy’

A Scottish gangster has been identified as a crucial figure in the UK’s largest drug conspiracy to date, which has resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals and the seizure of drugs worth billions of pounds. Sohail Qureshi was labelled as the ‘key link’ between British and Dutch criminal organisations involved in smuggling drugs into the UK. Qureshi, aged 64 and hailing from Glasgow, was found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine and/or heroin as well as conspiracy to import cannabis after an extensive trial in England and Wales. Working closely with Paul Green, the mastermind behind the gang based in Cheshire, Qureshi played a pivotal role in smuggling an estimated 50 tonnes of drugs into the country, equating to the weight of around 30 family-sized cars.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) referred to this operation as “the United Kingdom’s biggest ever detected drugs conspiracy.” Qureshi, alongside accomplice Ghazanfar Mahmood, 53, crafted a new drug transportation route into the UK, collaborating with a Dutch criminal gang led by Barbara Rijnbout, 53, and Johannes Vesters, 54. Following their apprehension, Barbara and Johannes were sentenced to 18 years and 20 years in prison, respectively. Despite the verdicts being delivered after two lengthy trials lasting 23 and 9 months each, Qureshi is awaiting sentencing.

The drug smuggling orchestrated by the illegal enterprise was described by the presiding judge as being conducted on an “industrial and unprecedented scale.” The criminal group went to great lengths to evade authorities, concealing drugs within shipments of pungent food products such as onions and garlic. Furthermore, they established a network of front businesses and warehouses in the UK and the Netherlands to camouflage their illegal operations. The gang’s sophisticated methods included encrypted communications, falsified documents, and the acquisition of legitimate businesses to disguise their illicit activities.

The leaders of the criminal organisation, including Paul Green, 59, faced severe consequences for their actions, with Green being sentenced to 32 years in prison. The nefarious group’s activities extended beyond drug smuggling as they engaged in fraudulent activities, including identity theft to secure mortgages and establish fake companies. The collaboration between the NCA and Dutch authorities uncovered the vast extent of the gang’s criminal enterprise, leading to significant drug seizures and arrests across multiple locations.

In summary, the successful dismantling of this extensive drug conspiracy underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating organised crime. The meticulous investigative work conducted by law enforcement agencies has not only disrupted a major illegal operation but has also sent a strong message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated. The convictions and sentences handed down serve as a deterrent to those involved in drug trafficking and underline the enduring efforts to uphold the rule of law and safeguard communities from the devastating impact of drug distribution.