In the UK, a member of a drug trafficking group was sentenced for transporting cocaine near Birmingham. Mark Buchanan (42) was arrested on September 22, 2022 when the Wales Regional Organized Crime Unit stopped him and discovered 7kg of cocaine.
UK Drug Trafficker Arrested Near Birmingham with 7kg of Coke – Street Value of Roughly $843K
From an investigation, it was found that Buchanan was tasked with moving drugs throughout the UK for a drug firm. He would dress as a delivery driver while doing so. Buchanan also tricked out his truck with hidden compartments in the floor of the vehicle. A search of his texts found encrypted messages showing the locations of more drops.
While on the M5 motorway, he was caught up in the larger Operation Bismuth headed up by Tartan’s Regional Disruption Team. This particular arrest was a joint effort by Wales Regional and the West Mercia Police.
Mark Buchanan pleaded guilty to his role in a drug ring and was given 16 years. Detective Sergeant Mark Burge said of the operation:
“The team’s relentless pursuit of OCGs across the UK supplying drugs into southern Wales has resulted in a significant custodial sentence for Buchanan and demonstrates the benefit of Tarian’s Op Bismuth in keeping our communities safe.”
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