Gang Convicted in £200m Cocaine Smuggling Operation Using Banana Shipments

Five men face sentencing after attempting to smuggle cocaine hidden in banana crates from Colombia to the UK, in one of the largest drug busts in the country's history.

• The National Crime Agency and Border Force intercepted 2.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed in banana shipments at Portsmouth, destined for a London warehouse.
• Petko Zhutev, along with four accomplices, used the guise of a legitimate fruit import business to facilitate the smuggling operation.
• The operation was thwarted by undercover officers posing as lorry drivers, who delivered dummy crates to the gang's warehouse.
• The Old Bailey trial concluded with the conviction of all five men for drug importation, with Zhutev also admitting to the charges after a retrial.
• The cocaine, valued at £200 million, was intended for distribution across the UK, highlighting the ongoing battle against organized crime networks.

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