Two men have been jailed after cops found £300m worth of heroin hidden in rice sacks during a record-breaking drugs bust.
According to Greater Manchester Police, it is the biggest drug seizure in UK mainland history.
Andrew Tait and Craig Parr, both 42, have both been imprisoned.
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On 7 December 2023, Tait was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.
Parr pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.
Last Friday (5 April), Tait received an 18-year jail term, while Parr was given 16 years.
The covert operation, dubbed Operation Somerled, took place during three months in 2020.
Specialist detectives in the Serious Organised Crime Group intercepted a heavy goods vehicle packed full of heroin and ketamine that was headed for Dagenham.
It was parked at Keele Service Station – between junctions 15 and 16 of the M6 motorway.
The drugs were stashed in large bags of rice, as reported by Need To Know.
At the time, police were also looking at a suspect named as Stephen King, who was the catalyst for this investigation, but passed away in January 2021.
Prior to his death, cops say “his [King’s] significant role in the conspiracy has been referenced throughout the trial”.
In 2019, while King was under surveillance, police discovered he was involved in the drug trade and associated criminality.
They then investigated others who could be involved.
Detectives then launched Operation Somerled with the aim of dismantling the entire organisation from the top down.
On Sunday 19 January 2020, King, who was a lorry driver by trade, hired the heavy goods vehicle.
It sat at an industrial site close to his home address for weeks until 29 January, when King went on the move.
Whilst under surveillance, he attended Thurrock Services in Essex where he met his co-defendants.
The group had a beer and then stayed in a hotel for two nights.
They then made the journey to the transport depot in Dagenham to collect their multi-million-pound consignment.
On the way back to Manchester, police intercepted King at Keele Services when he stopped to take a break.
He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs.
During the search, cops discovered 10 pallets stacked with 25kg bags of “rice”.
Six of the pallets concealed heroin.
An encrypted mobile phone was also seized from the cab.
Later that day, police were at a farm in Preston associated with the gang, where they found Tait.
Detective Chief Inspector, Tony Norman from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “This investigation spanned over three months where we had specialist detectives working around the clock, observing the men go about their daily businesses, often doing very mundane tasks.
”We knew they were involved in criminality and that something significant was being planned the day King hired the HGV, but it was a case of being patient and vigilant to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
“This discovery is the UK’s largest mainland drugs seizure, and there’s no denying the devastation it would have had on our communities had this product made its way to Manchester.
”This proactive investigation meant we were able to stop that and prevent future harm.
“I’m grateful to the Criminal Prosecution Service and Counsel whose involvement in this complex case was crucial.
“They worked closely with us throughout the investigation, over four years, to piece together the evidence which ultimately led to the convictions of these men.”
