Long sentences for Manchester Airport drug gang
22.06.10
An international gang of drug traffickers has been jailed for up to 15 years after being caught trying to smuggle £2.5m of cocaine in to the UK via Manchester Airport. Lithuanians Vaidas Skrupkis, Kestuist Jurevicus and Martynas Samulionis agreed to bring back 15kg of the Class A drug from an all-expenses-paid holiday in the Dominican Republic. The cocaine, which had a purity of about 50 per cent, was hidden in secret compartments in the couriers’ luggage. The court heard the couriers were paid just £400 for their part in the operation.
The trip was arranged and paid for by ‘fixer’ Nana ‘Chairman’ Gyebi, from Gorton, whose real name and date of birth are unknown to the authorities. Gyebi sent Emma Noack to act as minder to the three Lithuanians, but the gang were caught at Manchester Airport last September after a surveillance operation.
The three Lithuanians were arrested as they tried to clear customs and Gyebi and Noack were arrested as they met outside. At Manchester Crown Court yesterday Noack, a 37 year old mum-of-one from Germany, was jailed for 15 years. She, received a longer sentence than Gyebi because she did not plead guilty and maintained her innocence at trial.
Gyebi, who is believed to be 48, of Sidney Street, Gorton, was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty. Skrupkis, 31, Jurevicus, 20, and Samulionis, 24, who are all of no fixed address, also pleaded guilty and were each jailed up for nine years and three months.
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