Three Nigerians have been
sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom over conspiracy to “smuggle drugs and
ammunition into the country.
A Woolwich Crown court had
convicted 28-year-old Kennedy Udo, 22-year-old Michael Mgbedike and 27-year-old
Emmanuel Okubote and sentenced them to a total of 40 years in prison.
The court sentenced Udo to eight
years and six months, Mgbedike was sentenced to eight years while Okubote
bagged 23.5 years imprisonment.
 |
| Kennedy Udo |
They were convicted after an
operation by the Trident and area crime command in collaboration with border
operatives.
Udo and Mgbedike were nabbed in
France during an operation on August 12, 2017 when they were caught with two
loaded firearms, ammunition, a sound moderator and 990 grams of high purity
cocaine.
“They were charged with firearms
offences in January 2018 when a loaded firearm was recovered from an address in
Torcross Drive, Forest Hill,” a statement by the Metropolitan police said.
 |
| Michael Mgbedike |
“Okubote’s fingerprints were
recovered from a carrier bag in which the firearm was held in and his DNA was
recovered from two parts of the firearm. In addition, a firearm was recovered
from a vehicle in North London where Okubote’s fingerprint was also found on
the bag that contained the firearm.
“Detectives established that the
men had made several trips to Amsterdam, via Eurotunnel, during the months of
July and August 2017.
“It is believed that at least
three importations of prohibited firearms and drugs had taken place. Okubote
was established to be the main orchestrator in the conspiracy, using others
with little or no previous criminal history to work for him.”
 |
| Emmanuel Okubote |
DC Sarah Smart of Trident said
the conviction of the men demonstrates the close working partnership between
the security agencies in pursuit of the country’s most dangerous criminals.
“Emmanuel Okubote, along with
Michael Mgbedike and Kennedy Udo were intent on importing loaded firearms and
drugs through the UK’s borders, bringing misery to the communities that we
serve,” Smart said.
“The collaborative work between
agencies, as well as between different departments and experts within the Met,
has undoubtedly saved lives. This demonstrates that law enforcement agencies
will relentlessly pursue those who carry, and those who facilitate the movement
of firearms and drugs into and within the UK.”
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