A 22-year-old man from Northolt has been jailed as part of a major drugs gang that imported and distributed nearly half a ton of cocaine across London, worth up to £17 million.
Hussain Sakhi, of Laughton Road, Northolt, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 19 May. He was found guilty of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine, following a four-week trial. He was also found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Morris, Sakhi, Zahur and De Jong. Images: Met Police
Three others were sentenced alongside Sakhi as part of the same investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Zaibaa Zahur, 21, of Harlington Road, Uxbridge, received six years and 10 months in prison. Bert De Jong, 59, from the Netherlands, was jailed for 15 years. Justyn Morris, 23, of Upper Lees Road, Slough, had pleaded guilty earlier and was sentenced to 12 years and six months.
The group was responsible for bringing large amounts of cocaine into the UK from the Netherlands, with drugs distributed across London via lorries and handed over to local dealers.
Cladding. Image: Met Police
On 16 July 2024, Met officers tracked a van driven by Morris to an industrial estate in Norwich, where he met De Jong, who handed over three cardboard boxes. The boxes, hidden behind black cladding, were found to contain 70kg of cocaine worth up to £2.45 million. Sakhi and Zahur later visited the nearby holiday let, claiming to view the property, which raised suspicion. All three were arrested and charged shortly after.
Detective Constable Leon Ure, from the Met’s Specialist Crime South team, said: “This has been a complex and lengthy investigation to dismantle a group supplying drugs across London. It has been part of a wider, proactive drug operation led by the Specialist Crime South team.
“This investigation shows the breadth of work the specialist crime unit deals with and I’d like to thank every officer who was involved in the case.
“Drug dealing has a huge impact on Londoners. It fuels further crime and impacts the heart of our communities.
Drugs. Image: Met Police
“Their sentences are fully deserved and I hope this acts as a deterrent to those thinking about bringing in illegal drugs to the country.”
Investigators found ledgers showing the gang had moved around 500kg of cocaine. De Jong was arrested again on 23 July 2024 after re-entering the UK. Messages found on his phone suggested he was knowingly involved, including “tokens” he would send to confirm drug deliveries.
All four are now serving a combined 47 years in prison.
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