Third man jailed following investigation into Class A drug supply

Today (Friday 6 March), a third man has been jailed as part of a North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) investigation into a major Class A drug supply conspiracy.

Krisztian Popovics, 47, from Hungary, was sentenced to 19 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).

Popovics was identified during the investigation into Raymond and Nathan Kinnear, who were jailed in May this year for a combined total of more than 24 years. Detectives linked Popovics to the organised crime group through phone records, surveillance, and forensic evidence recovered from vehicles and storage units used to conceal drugs.

Enquiries revealed that Popovics, who worked as a delivery driver transporting goods from mainland Europe to the UK, played a key role in coordinating logistics and sourcing vehicles used to transport large quantities of cocaine. His involvement was crucial in enabling the group to distribute millions of pounds of drugs across the North West.

Working in partnership with the Dutch police, NWROCU officers arrested Popovics on 21 May this year after stopping a white van in Conwy. A search of the vehicle uncovered a sophisticated hide beneath the floor of the vehicle concealing 80 individually sealed kilogram blocks of cocaine.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU’s Operations Team said:

“This sentencing marks another significant step in dismantling a dangerous organised crime group. Popovics was not a peripheral figure – he was actively engaged in facilitating the supply of Class A drugs, which devastate lives and communities.

“We will continue to pursue those who think they can profit from the misery of others. Our message remains clear - if you are involved in drug supply, expect to be caught and face lengthy prison sentences.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report any information about drug dealing in their area. Call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111