OTTAWA: A 33 year old drug smuggler from Grays has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for importing cocaine.
Savdeep Atkar of Lodge Lane, was one of four people to be sentenced for their part in an international drug and ammunition smuggling operation.
Between early 2012 and October 2013, Met Police intelligence officers disrupted the conspiracy through covert investigation.
The sophisticated cocaine supply network stretched from Mexico, Canada and the USA to the streets of London.
In total, police intercepted 40kg of cocaine with a street value of £11million, as well as 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The drugs and ammunition were concealed in legitimate cargo containers within the hold of domestic flights bound for the UK.
Atkar was spotted meeting other criminals involved in distributing the cocaine once it had landed in London.
Police were able to gain recording of Atkar and another defendant, Harvinder Sanghera, discussing the loss of millions of pounds worth of cocaine when police intercepted a consignment.
Atkar and Sanghera both pleaded guilty to the charges against them at Southwark Crown Court last February.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Andy Whitewood, said: “This was a sophisticated, well-organised and determined criminal network.
“The man at the upper end of the organisation, Harvinder Sanghera and his lieutenant, Savdeep Atkar, were obviously capable of masterminding and resourcing this complicated international smuggling operation and sustaining it over a long period.”
The four men were sentenced to a combined 77 years in prison by a judge in Southwark.
