Pair used companies as front to import cocaine

Two men who used a business unit in Gainsborough as a front to import 240kg of cocaine into the UK have been jailed.

Muhammad Hussain, 37, was sentenced to 28 years in prison at Lincoln Crown Court after setting up a number of plastic businesses on the Corringham Road industrial estate to disguise the shipment of Class A drugs from South America.

Riaz Wadood, 32, described in court as his "right-hand man", was handed a 23-year jail term.

The pair were both found guilty of conspiring to evade a prohibition on the importation of cocaine following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court. They were also convicted of a second charge of failing to comply with the unlocking of mobile phones.

The operation came to light after Border Force officers intercepted a delivery of 80kg of cocaine destined for Gainsborough-based company Turks Trading in November 2024, the court heard.

Jurors heard there were two similar shipments of cocaine in July and September of that year, after machines used in the plastic industry were imported into the UK from South America.

Prosecutor John Hallissey told the court Hussain, of Greengate Close, Bury, was the "leader" of the UK operation.

Wadood, of Irwell Street, Bury, also played a key supporting role and was "second-in-command" to Hussain, the court heard.

"He [Wadood] had substantial influence on others in the chain," Hallissey explained, "and was also using businesses as a cover."

Sentencing Hussain, Judge Simon Hirst said he was close to the supply of the cocaine, which came directly from South America.

In mitigation, the court heard Hussain was a "devoted father" who had no similar convictions and had been working diligently in the prison library, while Wadood was not a leading figure in the enterprise.

Judge Hirst added there was no evidence of any legitimate trading at the plastics companies set up by Hussain.

Passing sentence on Wadood, Judge Hirst accepted he was below Hussain in the chain and further away from the original supply of the drugs.

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