Jordan Santos-Sindes appeared for the prosecution in this NCA-led investigation. ZM was the driver of a large horse truck that was stopped by UK Border Force coming into the United Kingdom. Onboard the vehicle there were no horses, but 12 feed bags in the rear of the truck. Concealed within the feed bags the officers recovered 70 kilogram blocks of high purity cocaine (worth over £5.25 million at street level).
ZM was arrested and, in interview, gave a full account explaining his route to the UK, his horse transport business that he had with the passenger of the truck and that he had no knowledge the cocaine was in the truck. The passenger of the truck had previously pleaded guilty to the offence of importation.
The trial centred around the accounts given by ZM, and particularly that he had refused to give access to his telephone device. Following a four day trial at Canterbury Crown Court the jury convicted ZM of importation of cocaine into the United Kingdom. ZM was sentenced to 10.5 years’ custody.
Jordan was instructed by James Irving of the CPS.
