Sheffield-based drugs operation unravelled
Nine men have been given 50 years behind bars between them for their part in a large-scale drugs supply chain based in Sheffield.
A multi-million pound drugs and money laundering operation has resulted in the ringleader being locked up for 24 years, while the remaining eight men were given sentences totalling nearly 26 years.
The so-called 'mastermind' behind the operation, Thenveer Hussain, 33, from Tinsley, pleaded guilty to nine counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, money laundering and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
In 2013 officers launched a covert investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Magical’, into a drugs supply chain responsible for the widespread supply and distribution of cocaine and heroin to gangs in London and South and West Yorkshire.
Nine people were sentenced in July 2015 to 80 years in prison for their involvement in Operation Magical, and in turn further criminal associates of Hussain were identified which resulted in two more investigations being launched: ‘Operation Mimic’ and ‘Operation Magical Two’.
Detective Inspector Paul Wilson from South Yorkshire's Serious and Organised Crime Unit explains: “After the sentencing of Hussain’s initial group of nine associates to 80 years imprisonment in 2015, he turned to 5 other men to assist him with his drugs operation and criminality.
“Our three investigations were all intrinsically linked and brought about the unravelling and eventual downfall of a large scale drugs operation, as well as revealing the attempts to launder criminally gained cash and pervert the course of justice, eventually leading to the imprisonment of 18 men and women.”
All nine men have been sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court today.
DI Wilson added: “The public will hopefully be reassured that 18 offenders are behind bars with lengthy sentences, which when combined totals 130-years, and that a significant amount of dangerous and illegal drugs are off our streets."