WIREDGOV

An organised crime group which smuggled drugs onto planes in pods used to transport in-flight meals has been ordered to hand over more than £700,000 to the National Crime Agency.

Yesterday the Judge in Maidstone Crown Court granted four Confiscation Orders against the group totalling £710,285 which included houses, bank accounts and other valuables. If they do not pay within the agreed time they will face further time in prison.

Reginald Aberdeen worked for an in-flight meal supplier. In August 2012 he along with Victor Akinluyi and Ajit Sandhu conspired to hide 18kgs of cocaine hidden amongst dinners and beverages  on a flight from Nigeria to Heathrow. Akinluyi's role was to arrange for the drugs to be placed in the catering pods in Nigeria and Sandhu was to deliver them to Aberdeen on arrival.

Once in London, the plan was to load  the 'catering pods' onto a customised lorry where they were to be driven to private property belonging to a fourth man Baldev Jatana and then a handover of drugs was to take place.      

Investigators watched the handover and as Victor Akinluyi drove away Officers stopped the car and seized the drugs. The cocaine had a likely potential street value of £3m.  
The four conspirators were sentenced to a total of 41 years and 9 months imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court in September 2014. 

Donald Toon, Director of the NCA’s Economic Crime Command, said: “Sandhu and the other members of this conspiracy were enjoying a lavish lifestyle as a direct result of their criminal activity. When released from prison, they won’t be able to return to their comfortable homes or substantial assets.

“Not only have we deprived them of the benefits of their criminality, but we have disrupted any future criminal activity. The NCA will use all its powers to pursue the assets of criminals, no matter how carefully they have been hidden.” 

The Order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The sentences received on 25th September 2014, and the amount to paid, are:

Reginald Aberdeen: 11 years. Ordered to pay £9000 within 28 days or serve an additional 6 months imprisonment.

Victor Olawale Akinluyi: 13.5 years. Ordered to pay £103,225 within three months or serve an additional 18 months.

Ajit Singh Sandhu: 7.5 years. Ordered to pay £428,527 within three months or serve an additional 4 years.

Baldev Singh Jatana: 9 years 9 months. Ordered to pay £169,533 within three months or serve an additional 2 years.