Four men jailed over nationwide cocaine supply conspiracy

Four further men have been jailed for their roles in a nationwide conspiracy to supply large quantities of class A drugs, following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

The offences are linked to an investigation that resulted in seven men being jailed last September for the attempted importation of cocaine into the UK via Southampton.

At Winchester Crown Court last Friday (24/4), Usman Majeed, Waqar Mohammed Ishfaq, Brandon Lawrence and Nasar Ali were sentenced to a combined total of 46 years and six months’ imprisonment.

 Majeed, Isfaq and Lawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Their sentences are as follows:

• Majeed, aged 40, of Broomfield Drive, Manchester, was sentenced to 15 years and three months’ imprisonment.
• Ishfaq, aged 36, of Kearsley Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 11 years and four months’ imprisonment.
• Lawrence, aged 21, of Grasmere Road, Manchester, was sentenced to nine years and seven months’ imprisonment.

Ali, aged 38, of Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, was convicted of one count of supplying class A drugs (cocaine). He was sentenced to 11 years and four months’ imprisonment.

Between April and September 2024, Majeed, Ishfaq, Lawrence and Ali were involved in a large‑scale conspiracy to supply cocaine across England, travelling extensively to distribute wholesale quantities of the drug. Evidence showed the group regularly stayed in short‑term accommodation, particularly in the Coventry area, while supplying cocaine in multiple kilogram amounts.

Following detailed analysis of phone data and financial material, prosecutors demonstrated that the conspiracy was responsible for the supply of an estimated 1,600kg to 2,400kg of cocaine during this period.

Three of the defendants, Majeed, Ishfaq and Lawrence, were also involved in a separate conspiracy linked to the importation of nearly 900kg of cocaine by sea.

On the morning of 8 July 2024, a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) was used to transport cocaine into Southampton. While a significant quantity was seized by police, Majeed, Ishfaq and Lawrence were involved in receiving 250kgof cocaine from another member of the organised crime group later that day.

In total, officers recovered:

• Around 150kg of cocaine from a van linked to the operation
• 489kg of cocaine from the RHIB itself

Ali was not involved in the Southampton importation but played a key role in the wider supply network.

As part of the investigation, officers also uncovered evidence relating to the supply of 10kg of cocaine to an organised crime group in Derby in May 2024. Members of that group were arrested and the drugs seized on the day, with further enquiries identifying Majeed and Ali as the suppliers.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Dan Hope, of SEROCU, said: “This investigation was pursued with determination by SEROCU officers working closely with partners across the country, including forces in the West Midlands, South West and Greater Manchester.

“By drawing on the strength of the national ROCU network, officers were able to identify, pursue and arrest those responsible for both the attempted importation of cocaine and the wider, well-established supply network that sat behind it.

“Between them, this organised crime group was responsible for the importation and supply of vast quantities of cocaine, causing significant harm to communities across the UK.

“SEROCU has specialist capabilities, including trained maritime officers, and works in close partnership with the National Crime Agency and Border Force to disrupt this type of offending. These substantial sentences should serve as a clear warning to anyone considering using the coastline to import drugs – we will find you, and we will bring you before the courts.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Al Charnley, of SEROCU, said: “This was the result of excellent teamwork and real tenacity from officers and staff across SEROCU and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, supported by colleagues in other forces.

“We are also extremely grateful to the prosecution counsel Mark Ruffell and Stephanie Painter who worked tirelessly with the investigation team to present a clear and comprehensive picture of each defendant’s offending, ultimately leading to their guilty pleas.”