A boat bound for Southampton was seized by police in 2024, and a conspiracy unravelled

“Evidence showed the group regularly stayed in short‑term accommodation, particularly in the Coventry area”

Four men from Manchester have been jailed after police smashed a major drugs plot. The individuals were involved in a ‘nationwide conspiracy’ to supply large quantities of cocaine, police said as they were sentenced to a combined total of almost 50 years in prison.

Three of them – Usman Majeed, Waqar Mohammed Ishfaq and Brandon Lawrence – were also involved in a separate conspiracy linked to the importation of nearly 900kg of cocaine by sea.

A boat used to transport cocaine into Southampton was seized by police in July, 2024, with a ‘significant quantity’ of the drug recovered, said police.

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The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) said the men’s offences were linked to an investigation that resulted in seven men being jailed last September for the attempted importation of cocaine into the UK via Southampton.

Jailed: Brandon Lawrence(Image: SEROCU)

At Winchester Crown Court last Friday (May 1), Majeed, Ishfaq, Lawrence and Nasar Ali were sentenced to a combined total of 46 years and six months’ imprisonment. Majeed, Isfaq and Lawrence each pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Majeed, 40, of Broomfield Drive, Cheetham Hill, was jailed for 15 years and three months. Ishfaq, 36, of Kearsley Road, Crumpsall, was sentenced to 11 years and four months. Lawrence, 21, of Grasmere Road, Swinton, Salford, was jailed for nine years and seven months.

Jailed: Usman Majeed(Image: SEROCU)

Police said Ali, 38, of Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, was convicted of one count of supplying class A drugs, namely cocaine. He got 11 years and four months.

In a statement, the crime unit said: “Between April and September 2024, Majeed, Ishfaq, Lawrence and Ali were involved in a large‑scale conspiracy to supply cocaine across England, travelling extensively to distribute wholesale quantities of the drug.

Jailed: Waqar Mohammed Ishfaq(Image: SEROCU)

“Evidence showed the group regularly stayed in short‑term accommodation, particularly in the Coventry area, while supplying cocaine in multiple kilogram amounts. Following detailed analysis of phone data and financial material, prosecutors demonstrated that the conspiracy was responsible for the supply of an estimated 1,600kg to 2,400kg of cocaine during this period.”

Three of the defendants, Majeed, Ishfaq and Lawrence, were also involved in a separate conspiracy linked to the importation of nearly 900kg of cocaine by sea.

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On the morning of 8 July 2024, a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) was used to transport cocaine into Southampton. While a significant quantity was seized by police, Majeed, Ishfaq and Lawrence were involved in receiving 250kg of cocaine from another member of the organised crime group later that day.

Jailed: Nasar Ali(Image: SEROCU)

In total, officers recovered more than 600kg of cocaine. Police said Ali was not involved in the Southampton importation, but ‘played a key role in the wider supply network’.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Dan Hope, said the investigation was ‘pursued with determination’ and also involved officers from Greater Manchester Police. He said a ‘well-established supply network’ was in place behind the importation plot.

“Between them, this organised crime group was responsible for the importation and supply of vast quantities of cocaine, causing significant harm to communities across the UK,” Det Sgt Hope said.

“These substantial sentences should serve as a clear warning to anyone considering using the coastline to import drugs – we will find you, and we will bring you before the courts.”