Colombian Crime Gang Busted Over Shocking London Cocaine Lab
A ruthless Colombian organised crime gang has been slammed with a combined 44 years behind bars after police uncovered a jaw-dropping cocaine extraction lab hidden in a London flat. The gang used a bizarre method, stripping cocaine hidden inside cosmetic hair removal wax.
Secret Cocaine Lab Hidden in Vauxhall Flat
The City of London Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team smashed the operation in a Vauxhall flat following a tip-off from UK Border Force intelligence. Inside bars of wax meant for UK sale, cops found 3.51kg of pure cocaine worth over £211,000.
“This was an extremely dangerous and highly sophisticated criminal operation,” said Detective Constable Matt Cooper. “The hazardous chemicals posed a real threat to the public and could have had devastating consequences.”
Four Gangsters Locked Up in Cocaine Sting
- Humberto Caicedo Ramirez, 53 – 13 years 6 months
- Carlos Barbosa Arias, 61 – 8 years (the gang’s chemistry whizz)
- Sebastian Camacho Lopez, 31 – 6 years 7 months
- Jonny Delgado, 49 – 16 years (also ran a dodgy cocaine supply line)
Ramirez and Arias were caught red-handed cooking drugs using petrol and chemicals in the flat’s homemade lab. Lopez and Delgado joined the net soon after, charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine across the capital.
Linked Gangsters Also Jailed for Drug Crimes
- Arjan Metliaj, 38 – 4 years 8 months for possession and intent to supply Class A, plus 18 months for handling criminal property.
- Alina Telecan, 32 – 2 years 4 months for possession with intent to supply and 12 months for using a fake ID.
Detective Cooper added: “By busting this gang, we’ve cut off a dangerous Class A drug supply network and made London’s streets safer.”
