Final member of £40m drug smuggling gang jailed for 17 years

The final member of an international drug smuggling gang, involving a Wembley man, which was behind the importation of £40million worth of heroin and cocaine has been jailed.

Yesterday, Nadir Bouchelkia was sentenced to 17 years for conspiracy to supply heroin, after previously pleading guilty to the offence.

When the 27-year-old from Walthamstow, was arrested he was in the act of mixing quantities of heroin at a safe house.

His co-defendants include 34-year-old Ardian Doda, of Harrow Road, Wembley, who was jailed for ten-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply cocaine in May last year.

He had previously fled to Holland to avoid justice.

Kingston Crown Court heard the 16-strong gang imported heroin and cocaine from mainland Europe which was flooded on to the streets of London and the south east and south coast of England.

Last November, Sami Qerkini, 49, from Edgware, the gang leader, Bardhi Lleshi, 36, from Southwark, Arben Oruci, 44, from Lambeth, Armando Oruci, 40, from Tottenham, Jgergji Lleshi, 27, from Islington, identical twins Almir and Altin Gocaj, from Bromley and Lambeth respectively, were jailed for a total of 80 years.

All admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Nick Blackburn, of the Met’s Central Task Force, said: “This outstanding result reflects the professionalism and dedication of a Specialist Team of Detectives who have achieved significant sentences for those concerned.

“The organised crime group has been fully dismantled from importation level to street-level distributors.

“This is indicative of the Met’s total war on organised crime and should send out a strong message to those currently engaged in such activity.”