Latest members of Norfolk-linked drugs gang jailed

Timothy Parker, 43, of Fonthill Road in London, and Zhulian Kacani, 28, of Colney Hatch Lane in London, became the latest members of the criminal network to be jailed, bringing the total sentences for the group to 41 years.

An investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) found that Parker arranged to sell cocaine imported by Axel Ritter Cruz, a Mexican national jailed last year for drugs offences.

Phone messages uncovered by ERSOU detectives indicated Parker was a prominent drug dealer with an established network available for both the importation and movement of 100kg of cocaine a week.

He was in regular contact with Ritter Cruz, with message exchanges centred around the distribution and onward sale of large amounts of drugs.

After Ritter Cruz, formerly of King Street, Norwich, was arrested in October 2022 and his digital devices seized, investigators were able to piece together further information on his criminal associates.

Conversations between him and Parker included a photo of a suspected 40kg shipment of cocaine and a separate video appearing to show a block of pressed cocaine.

Further images of cocaine were also exchanged as Parker looked to source a buyer for a separate kilo-sized parcel of the class A drug.

Kacani was an associate of Parker and was described as being his ‘right hand man’, assisting with his criminal enterprises.

The pair were both arrested in August 2023, with officers finding a written note at Parker’s address appearing to reference packages of drugs being imported in shipping containers.

Both were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, with Parker admitting the offences and Kacani found guilty following trial.

At a hearing on Thursday (14 March), Parker was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and Kacani was jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Ritter Cruz, 37, was previously jailed for 16 years after a package of cocaine bound for his address was seized at London Stansted Airport after arriving from Colombia.

His associate Daniel Fordham, of Saxon Way, Fakenham, was previously jailed for ten years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply methyl-amphetamine.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Birch, from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “This investigation shines a light on how many organised crime groups operate – with networks of drug dealers often liaising with each other to further their illicit activities.

“After initially investigating one prominent drug importer, investigators continued to uncover further intelligence around his associates and build a clear picture of how the network was operating.

“Our teams of specialist detectives then worked diligently to identify those involved and establish their respective roles within the criminal hierarchy.

“There’s no doubt the region is a safer place with these men behind bars, and I hope this serves as a stern warning to those who continue to deal drugs within our region."