Banana drug gang jailed for over 90 years

A criminal gang that imported cocaine to Kent inside crates of bananas have been jailed for over 90 years altogether.

Between March and December 2021, they imported and distributed at least 1.4 tonnes of cocaine from Central America

Arrests were made in October 2023 across Kent, Cambridgeshire, Manchester, and Northumbria.

Seven people were sentenced yesterday.

Danny Smith, 32, from Berrylands in Orpington was jailed for 16 years and eight months.

Reece Jury, 36, from Queens Drive, Sevenoaks was jailed for 13 years and four months.

Amir Manouchehri, 34, from Hulme Hall Road, Manchester was jailed for 13 years and eight months.

Addison Curtis, 37, of Westbrook Avenue, Margate pleaded guilty to money laundering. He was jailed for two years, suspended for two years.

Christian Lee, 50, of Ravenna Road, Sunderland was found guilty following a trial of conspiracy to supply and import class A drugs. He was jailed for 19 years.

Christopher Sharrock, 31, from Hawthorn Avenue, Wigan, Manchester was found guilty of importing class A drugs. He was jailed for 18 years.

Nikki Fewsdale, 42, of Meadow Court, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees was found guilty of importing class A drugs. He was jailed for 14 years.