What began as a report of bags theft led to Metropolitan Police detectives figuring out and busting a drug-importation ring.
As a part of the investigation, officers from the Territorial Help Group (TSG) have been additionally shot whereas going to arrest one of many suspects and, consequently, an imitation firearm was additionally recovered kicked off the streets.
Detective Chief Inspector Inderjit Kaur mentioned: “This investigation highlights incredible detective work by Met Law enforcement officials to determine and uncover a harmful group concerned within the importation and provide of medication, which we all know can have a horrible impact on communities locals
“We additionally noticed unimaginable bravery and professionalism from the TSG officers who have been shot whereas arresting one of many suspects. Luckily, solely photographs have been fired, however due to this investigation, a harmful weapon is out of streets and a gaggle of harmful criminals are actually behind bars.”
The investigation was led by officers from the Met's Aviation Policing Command after two girls reported their suitcases and passports have been stolen whereas ready for a taxi after arriving in London on a flight from Los Angeles on January 11, 2023.
Detectives carried out speedy CCTV inquiries and traced the suspects – a person and a girl – to a automobile registered to Eleanar Attard. Simply two days after the theft, officers attended her dwelling in Broxbourne the place they arrested Attard, alongside along with her husband, Nicholas Panayiotou.
Nonetheless, when officers examined Panayiotou's telephone, they discovered proof that the theft was a part of a wider conspiracy to import after which steal a big amount of hashish.
A WhatsApp group chat discovered by officers contained particulars of a plan to smuggle 58kg of hashish into the UK from the US. Officers additionally discovered proof of how the group conspired to steal hashish from the 2 girls recruited to import it – by Panayiotou and his spouse posing as customs officers and pretending to grab the ladies's suitcases and passports shortly after arriving within the UK.
ANPR knowledge gathered by detectives additionally confirmed Panayiotou and his spouse traveled to a lodge after which his restaurant 'A Contact of Greek' each in Chingford after the theft.
Three movies discovered by detectives on Panayiotou's telephone confirmed massive quantities of hashish. The meta-data evaluation carried out by the officers confirmed that the movies have been taken the day after the baggage theft and have been filmed within the restaurant.
The officers have been extensively investigated to determine three different individuals within the WhatsApp group. Constantinos Zavros was recognized as linked to those that provide the drug in america and officers discovered proof that he additionally traveled to america. Luke Wileman was recognized as advising the gang on how one can promote the medication and steered appropriate clothes for Panayiotou and Attard to be worn to pose as customs officers. Police arrested Zavros and Wileman shortly after their identification in April 2023 and July 2023 respectively.
A 3rd man – Koby Haik – was additionally recognized by detectives as being closely concerned within the conspiracy. Met TSG officers attended his dwelling on 5 April 2023 to arrest him. Nonetheless, after they entered the deal with, and regardless of clearly figuring out themselves as police, Haik was standing on the prime of the steps armed with a baseball bat and fired two photographs from a gun. Officers safely arrested Haik and the recovered weapon was despatched for ballistics evaluation, which later confirmed it was an imitation containing clean rounds.
The group was later charged, convicted and sentenced as follows:
Contantinos Zavros (24.04.1989) of Carlton Avenue, Southgate, and Koby Haik (20.08.1992) of Ashfield Highway, Southgate have been convicted of conspiracy to import hashish, conspiracy to produce hashish and conspiracy to steal (suitcases and passports). Haik was additionally convicted of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to trigger worry of violence.
Luke Wileman (04.10.1991) of Faygate Lane, Horsham and Nicholas Panayiotou (17.11.1980) of Sawells, Broxbourne have been each convicted of conspiracy to produce hashish and conspiracy to steal. A cost of conspiracy to import hashish in opposition to Paniyiotou is mendacity on the file.
Zavros, Haik and Panayiotou have been sentenced on April 12 at Isleworth Crown Court docket. Zavros was sentenced to 6 years, 11 months in jail. Haik was sentenced to seven years in jail and Panayiotou was sentenced to 4 years, one month in jail. Wileman will likely be sentenced on the similar court docket on Might 9.
Eleanar Attard, (13/06/1978), of Sawells, Broxbourne was charged with theft of suitcases and passports. She was sentenced on March 15 at Isleworth Crown Court docket to eight months in jail (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to hold out a 10-day Rehabilitation Exercise Requirement and full 100 hours of unpaid work.
