Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug Courier Operation in Kia Sportage

A man named Albert Hines, aged 58, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for using his Kia Sportage car to transport £1.6 million worth of drugs.

This outcome follows a covert operation conducted by Metropolitan Police officers, who apprehended Hines as he entered a self-storage facility in West Moseley, Surrey.

Discovery at the Self-Storage Facility:

During the surveillance, detectives witnessed Hines struggling with a large cardboard box, which he subsequently placed in the trunk of his Kia on October 10, 2022.

The next day, Hines met with Anthony Clinton, aged 60, in Hounslow’s Woodfield Road at 1:30 am.

At this meeting, Hines handed over 21kg of ketamine to Clinton.

Arrest and Drug Seizure:

At approximately 4:30 am, uniformed officers stopped Clinton on the A11 near his residence in Cromes Place, Badersfield, Norwich.

Norfolk Police discovered a cardboard box containing the drug packages in the car’s trunk.

Shortly thereafter, Metropolitan Police officers arrested Hines next to his vehicle in Pidwick Close, Hounslow.

Subsequent examination of the Kia resulted in the seizure of three boxes from the trunk, each containing three large bags of ketamine weighing 5.5kg.

Furthermore, another box was found, containing two kilo blocks of cocaine valued at £50,000.

Two knuckle dusters were also discovered in the glovebox.

Additional Findings and Confiscations:

Law enforcement officials conducted a search at the self-storage facility, leading to the discovery and confiscation of a money counting machine and cash.

Furthermore, a sum of over £12,000 was seized from Hines’ home address and the self-storage unit.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing:

At Isleworth Crown Court, Albert Hines pleaded guilty to charges including supplying Class A and B drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, and fraud.

On May 5, at Norwich Crown Court, Anthony Clinton was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison for drug supply offenses.

Analysis:

The case involving Albert Hines highlights the successful outcome of a proactive operation conducted by the Metropolitan Police to combat drug trafficking.

Ketamine, the drug involved in this case, poses serious health risks to users, including increased heart rate, memory impairment, and potential liver or bladder damage.

The seizure of over a tonne of ketamine in the past year signifies a substantial increase compared to previous years, demonstrating the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in tackling the supply of this controlled substance.

By targeting individuals like Hines, who played a role in the drug supply chain, the police aim to reduce the harm caused to communities and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Conclusion:

The case of Albert Hines, who received a significant prison sentence for his involvement in the large-scale transportation of drugs using his Kia Sportage, serves as a reminder of the efforts undertaken by law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related offenses.

The police urge anyone with information on drug supply activities to report it to the authorities, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in fighting against drug trafficking.