A drug smuggler who hid 100kg of ketamine inside a motorhome in an attempt to bring the stash into the UK has been jailed.
Russell King stored four bin bags full of the Class B drug in compartments within the Fiat motorhome before crossing the North Sea by ferry from Rotterdam to Hull.
When King arrived at his home address on August 24, 2024, he was arrested as officers retrieved the ketamine, worth an estimated street value of £2 million.
It was later found out that King was also involved in the importation and supply of 70kg of cannabis a month prior.
King, aged 63, admitted offences of possession with intent to supply ketamine and supplying cannabis, conspiracy to import cannabis and ketamine, and conspiracy to supply cannabis at an earlier court hearing.
Further investigations revealed that King played an instrumental part in the importation of 632kg of ketamine into the UK during July 2023, working from mainland Europe to oversee the movement of the drugs.
Following a six-week trial at Lewes Crown Court, King was found guilty of importing the 70kgs of cocaine.
Appearing before Lewes Crown Court for sentencing today, King was jailed for a total of 22 years, including six years for the motorhome offence and four years for the cannabis offence, running concurrently.
Russell King attempted to smuggle 100kgs of ketamine, worth an estimated street value of £2 million, into the UK
King stored four bin bags full of the Class B drug in compartments within motorhome before crossing the North Sea by ferry from Rotterdam to Hull
The ketamine was hidden in a compartment inside the motor home
When King arrived at his home address on August 24, 2024, he was arrested as officers retrieved the ketamine
King, aged 63, admitted offences of possession with intent to supply ketamine and supplying cannabis, conspiracy to import cannabis and ketamine, and conspiracy to supply cannabis
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Al Burns, of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: ‘This operation dismantled a significant supply chain into the UK from Europe, and I’m proud of the tireless work our officers put in to protect the public.
‘I would like to thank them as well as partners agencies, including Sussex Police and those overseas for their work to ensure justice was done.
‘This arrest demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of UK law enforcement and that working together we will relentlessly pursue those that seek to benefit from international criminality.
‘Putting King behind bars has not only disrupted an international trafficking route into the UK, but it’s also a stark reminder of the harm these substances cause in our communities.
‘The growing use of ketamine as a recreational drug has been well-documented recently, but so have the serious dangers it poses to the health of individuals who take it.
‘It’s wrongly perceived as a low-risk drug and has a significant impact on users.
‘We remain committed to tackling the organised crime groups fuelling this trade and causing misery in our communities.’
