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Nottinghamshire drug gang jailed for importing crystal meth from America

By Henry Green

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A drugs gang have been jailed after colossal amounts of crystal meth and other substances were smuggled into Nottinghamshire from America.

The gang and its associates have been convicted of importing the Class A and B drugs into the UK, with the leaders collecting hundreds of thousands of pounds on a monthly basis.

The organised crime group’s multi-million pound operation was uncovered following a parcel interception at Stansted Airport in May 2023.

When examined by Border Force officials, the parcel was found to contain 900g of crystal meth – and 2kg of cannabis.

Further parcels linked to the case were then discovered, with Notts Police detectives seizing the largest haul of meth in the force’s history.

More than £7 million worth of the stimulant drug was discovered and seized during the 18-month probe.

It was established drugs gang had smuggled other parcels into the UK, weighing 67kg in total. While the contents are not known, a court was told they were likely to have contained further significant quantities of crystal meth and cannabis.

The criminal associates would abuse their relationships, friendships and trust to dupe the occupants of addresses into accepting parcels, which they believed to be for a legitimate purpose.

This resulted in the drugs gang leaders collecting hundreds of thousands of pounds on a monthly basis used to fund luxury holidays and trips to places such as Thailand, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Central America and the Greek Islands.

The gang members also spent large sums on designer clothing – including a pair of £1,200 trainers and high-value watches.

Faced with overwhelming evidence, nine defendants entered guilty pleas at Nottingham Crown Court on 24 January. They were sentenced on Wednesday (May 8). They include:

Davante James, aged 29, of Edingley Avenue, Sherwood, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to playing a significant role in the importation of a Class A drug (methamphetamine) into Nottinghamshire and conspiring to import a Class B drug (cannabis)- Jailed for 17 years.

Rakeem Thomas, aged 28, formerly of Weightman Avenue, Gedling 

Pleaded guilty to playing a significant role in the importation of a Class A drug (methamphetamine) into Nottinghamshire and conspiring to import a Class B drug (cannabis)- Jailed for 11 years and 6 months.

Jesse Kolo, aged 30, of Birdbrook Close, Dagenham

Pleaded guilty to playing a significant role in the exportation of Class A drugs (2.5kgs cocaine) to Australia- Jailed for 5 years and 4 months.

Lemar Taylor, aged 32, of Sherwin Walk, St Ann’s, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to importing a Class A drug (methamphetamine) and conspiring to import a Class B drug (cannabis)- Jailed for 7 years and 6 months.

Kyiem Raymond, aged 27, of Melford Road, Bilborough, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to conspiring to import a Class B drug (cannabis)- Jailed for 45 months.

Lavontie Cameron, aged 26, of Kelvedon Gardens, St Ann’s, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug (cannabis)- Jailed for 38 months.

Taisha Chalmers, aged 29, of Brayton Crescent, Basford, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug (cannabis)- handed an 18-month Community Order with a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Jabari Smith, aged 30, of Ballerat Crescent, Top Valley, Nottingham

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in an arrangement which facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property- handed an 18-month Community Order including 80 hours of unpaid work.

Bryony Hajman, aged 25, of Church Road, Clipstone, Mansfield

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in an arrangement which facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property- handed an 18-month Community Order including 50 hours of unpaid work.