Footage has captured the moment police smashed their way into a Woolwich flat as they arrested an alleged international cocaine trafficker.
The raid took place early on Wednesday, June 16, after National Crime Agency officers tracked down the 44-year-old on behalf of the German police who had evaded capture by using the encrypted communication platform EncroChat.
He is thought to have a significant role in an Albanian and German organised crime group behind cocaine importations over a number of years, facilitating the transportation of drugs from South America and across Europe.
#ICYMI: Suspected member of international organised crime group arrested by NCA
— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) June 20, 2021
He was wanted for his alleged involvement in multi-tonne cocaine importations from South America to Germany.
Full story ➡️ https://t.co/GqUHNaHdVB pic.twitter.com/4FXmIwpvKh
Deputy Director Andrea Wilson, from the National Crime Agency, said: “This man has gone to great lengths to evade law enforcement both in Germany and the UK, which included using the encrypted comms platform EncroChat to communicate with his associates.
“His arrest is the culmination of great collaborative work between the NCA and our colleagues in the BKA, and highlights how we are working together with partners to target and dismantle the organised crime groups responsible for bringing drugs to our streets.
“We know that Western Balkan crime groups have a presence at all stages of the cocaine supply chain, from South America to the UK.
"They play a significant role in the wholesale movement of cocaine, and we will not stop in our endeavours to identify those involved and disrupt their activity.”
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