Multi-Million Pound Breadfruit Cocaine Smuggling Gang Caged

A London bus driver and his wife who imported £4.9m worth of cocaine from the Dominican Republic cleverly concealed inside breadfruit were locked-up for a total of 17 years yesterday (Friday).

Ronald Russell-Taylor, 28, and Colombian-born mum-of-four Deisy Taylor, 37, both of Wooler Street, Walworth, had their own import company, purporting to fly in Ecuadorian flowers, arts and crafts, plus fruit and veg.

They and ex-Colombian auxiliary policeman John Zambrano-Mello, 32, of Unwin Close, Camberwell, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to importing cocaine between June 1 and October 20, last year.

"You can't complain if you play with fire and your fingers get burnt," Judge John Rylance told the couple, jailing first-time offender Russell-Taylor (pic. top) for nine years and his wife (pic. 2nd top) for eight years.

"You two allowed yourselves to be involved in keys roles in the sophisticated large scale importation of dangerous drugs. I have no doubt major criminals were involved and they were able to reap large criminal profits for themselves and inflict untold damage on the health of some of the inhabitants of this country."

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Central Task Force seized 20.12 kilos of 100% pure cocaine on October 20 after following a Mercedes van from Heathrow Airport's cargo terminal to Zambrano-Mello's address.

The cocaine was contained within fifteen "football-sized" objects wrapped in cling-film that had been stuffed into two green-string bags along with the breadfruit.

The consignment of breadfruit had been ordered by 'Taylor Imports' and there was evidence of three previous suspicious importations of fruit and veg.

"If any drugs were involved in earlier importations I imagine the amounts increased over time and they were just test runs. All the importations were geared-up to this major importation," added Judge Rylance.

In father-of-three Zambrano-Mello's bedroom (pic. bottom) police seized drug-cutting agents, including caffeine, used to bulk up the cocaine plus kitchen and electronic scales and a blender.

"It was a drug factory. Altering and cutting cocaine to increase profits," said prosecutor Mr. Dominic Connolly.

The couple, who had dreams of buying Porsche's and a Colombian villa, claimed they had been subjected to threats by South-American gangsters had had made no more than £500 from the previous importations.

Police discovered they wired £10,000 to Colombia between December 24, 2008 and September 17, last year and despite purportedly importing perishable goods never seemed to be in a hurry to collect from the airport.

Zambrano-Mello (pic. 3rd top) was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and Judge Ryland told him: "You involved yourself and provided storage and a factory for the cutting and mixing of these drugs."

Afterwards Detective Constable Ian Tomlinson of the Central Task Force said: "These convictions are the result of a long term proactive investigation by The Central Task Force targeting Columbian cocaine importation.

"In conjunction with the UK Border Agency, over 20 kilos of high grade cocaine was seized and this particular organised criminal network has been effectively dismantled.

"Individuals who consider embarking upon such 'get rich quick' schemes without a care for those adversely affected, should be reminded that they are gambling with their liberty.

"Law enforcement agencies will robustly target them and their conviction and imprisonment will surely follow.

"The Taylor's and Zambrano have learnt this lesson the hard way."

Passing Cops Get Whiff Of Spliff

A driver so high on cannabis the telltale smell of the drug was sucked into a passing police car’s air conditioning – tipping-off cops - has been slapped with a two year road ban.

Scott Ashworth, 25, of The Oaks, Abbeymead, Gloucester, pleaded guilty at London’s Tower Bridge Magistrates’ Court to driving while unfit through drugs in Copeland Road, Peckham, on October 18, last year.

“There is high culpability here and high potential harm,” District Judge Timothy Stone said. “He was under the influence of cannabis. His car reeked of the stench of it.”

Ashworth also pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of cannabis on the same occasion and failing to surrender to bail.

The court (pictured) was told it was 7 pm when officers spotted Ashworth driving his VW Golf “extremely slowly” with the strong stench of cannabis being inducted into the patrol car’s air-conditioning.

Ashworth was stopped and appeared “dazed and confused” when quizzed by police who arrested him for driving while under the influence.

A blood sample he gave at the station tested positive for cannabis and Ashworth admitted the amount found on him was for his own use.

“He was manifestly a danger to everybody,” announced Mr. Stone sentencing Ashworth to a twelve-month community order, including 200 hours unpaid work.

He also disqualified Ashworth from driving for two years and ordered him to pay £85 costs.

Burglar Binned For Break-In

A veteran burglar who was caught red-handed fleeing yet another break-in by an eagle-eyed off-duty cop has been locked up for three years.

Kenny Mumford, 41, of Killewareen Way, Orpington, Kent – who has clocked-up 65 previous offences including a string of burglaries – pleaded guilty to burgling nearby 1 Littlejohn Road, on November 28, last year.

Croydon Crown Court heard the off-duty police officer recognised regular offender Mumford acting suspiciously outside the property (pictured).

“He had his face pressed against the window,” said prosecutor Mr. Gareth Underhill. “He then observed the defendant enter the property and return with something shiny in his gloved hands.”

Police arrived and Mumford fled, throwing the three jewellery rings over a neighbouring wall.

They were recovered and the female householder confirmed them as hers.

Mumford, who has been in custody since his arrest was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Judge William Barnett QC.

Lady J.P. Convicted Of Illegally Evicting Romanian Tenant

A respected lady magistrate's reputation is in tatters after being convicted of illegally evicting her female Romanian tenant, whose property was tossed downstairs and smashed as she received a barrage of racist abuse.

Bench Chairwoman Stephanie Lippiatt, 63, a senior Justice of the Peace at Kingston-upon-Thames Magistrates' Court will now be sentenced alongside her six foot, seven inch henchman who has admitted a race charge.

Widow Lippiatt, of Lower Ham Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, who is currently suspended from magistrates’ duties, was convicted of attempting to unlawfully evict Maria Percec, 28, at 123 Durlston Road, Kingston, (pictured) on June 18, last year.

After her arrest Lippiatt – a magistrate for over twenty years and a Samaritan’s volunteer – was recorded by an officer outside the police station saying: "They are bloody foreigners and they will get away with it."

She was also convicted by the Croydon Crown Court jury today (Wednesday) of causing criminal damage to Miss Percec's property, but was acquitted of that offence being racially aggravated and was also found not guilty of racially aggravated assault.

Victor Hawes, 41, of Durlston Road, who Lippiatt denies is her secret lover, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage and both defendants will be sentenced on April 7.

"She came in and started swearing at me to 'get the fuck out of the house'," ex-box room tenant Miss Percec told the jury during the seven-day trial. "She pushed me and stamped on my feet."

Miss Percec told the jury Lippiatt was unhappy about the tenant’s boyfriend George Stanka, 31, staying regularly overnight in her room and demanded a rent increase from £150 p.m. to £250 p.m.

"She said: 'I want more money or you are out of here', that’s all she spoke about. More money," said Miss Percec.

"The £250 was way too much. The house was in really bad condition, it was a very old house.

"The room was tiny, I have now got a room six times that size."

Lippiatt, who has a rental portfolio of eight properties, denies being a slum landlady although the defence team conceded the property was not "Buckingham Palace."

The couple were naked in bed when Lippiatt and Hawes began banging on their door late at night, demanding they leave the property.

"It was really loud banging, like someone hitting the door with a fist three times," explained Miss Percec, who had managed to throw on a dressing gown before the defendant’s burst in.

"She pulled the covers off George. He was naked and she looked at him and shouted: 'get the fuck out'."

Mr. Stanka later told the jury Lippiatt racially abused the couple. "Romanian cunts'. She said that."

Both defendants then began throwing furniture, clothing and personal effects belonging to the couple down the stairs then out the front door.

Miss Percec told police Lippiatt hurled a chest down the stairs then deliberately trampled on her belongings, before tossing items out the front door.

The couple were also intimidates by Hawes. "Victor was behind her, he’s massive, the size of the whole door. You can’t compete with that force," said Miss Percec.

Lippiatt also shouted: "You are not living in my house. You are not living on my back," the jury was told.

Miss Percec told police Hawes shouted: "You’re being fucking evicted. You’re fucking Romanian. Get out of the fucking house, you ming."

Throughout his race rant, filmed on Mr. Stanka’s mobile phone, Lippiatt is standing next to him in earshot.

The jury were played the footage in which an enraged Hawes throws the tenant's belongings down the stairs and Lippiatt is seen kicking items out the front door.

"I was left with bruises on my feet and around my knee," said Miss Percec. "The police saw it and took photos the next day.

"She was trying really hard to hurt me and push me and get me out of that room. I have been abused verbally and physically."

The jury was told Hawes also called the couple: "Romanian cockroaches."

Lippiatt claims Miss Percec has done a "hatchet job" on her so her evidence would be believed and to bolster a compensation claim.

The J.P. told the jury: "Last year when I was 62, I would have said it wouldn't have even crossed my mind that I could find myself in this position."

After two decades on the bench Lippiatt finally discovered what it felt like to be a defendant when police locked her in a cell.

"I completely lost control of myself. I was screaming and I was crying and I was begging them to let me out."

She lost her removals businessman husband Clive when a drunken motorcyclist killed him.

Boots Lab Rats Hoarded Erotic Teen Girl Pics

Two Boots photo lab technicians amassed a huge collection of erotic pictures of children and young teenage girls while developing unsuspecting customers' prints at a busy store.

The lab rats' secret stash of images - collected over ten years - which filled over eight carrier bags and two boxes were hidden in a concealed compartment found by a BT engineer installing a phone line.

Many of the pictures were innocent snaps of teenage girls in their bedrooms dressing-up for a night out with friends and holiday snaps customers brought to be developed at the store in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Rotherhithe, South-East London.

Married father-of-oneThomas Befroy, 38, of Beckenham Hill Road, Beckenham, Kent and Alan Hermon, 49, of Summerfield Street, Lewisham, pleaded guilty to possessing indecent pictures of children, with a view to distributing them, or showing them to someone else, on or before October 23, last year, contrary to the Protection of Children Act.

Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard 78 of the images were deemed Level One - the lowest level of indecency - but one was Level Two, which includes non-penetrative sexual activity between children or solo masturbation by a child.

Prosecutor Mr. James Le Grys said: "The offence took place at Boots in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. There is a photo lab in the store and a mini-lab at the rear where these two defendants had worked since 1989."

The BT engineer, installing an internet connection, raised the alarm after uncovering the stash in the compartment and further indecent pictures were found in a locked cupboard during a police search.

"The engineer placed his hands inside and found several Boots carrier bags. They contained images of a sexual nature," added Mr Le Grys. "He reported the images to management and they called the police.

"A number of photographs were of young women under the age of eighteen and dating between 1997 and 2008."

Befroy, who has a seven year-old daughter and is now subject to a social services assessment and cannot be unsupervised with the child had left the branch six weeks before the discovery to take over as manager at Boots in Battersea.

He was team leader at Surrey Quays and when questioned by police told them Hermon was responsible for making extensive copies.

"When Mr. Hermon was questioned he denied the allegations, but then admitted making extensive copies of sexual images and Mr Befroy was aware," said Mr. Le Grys.

The 78 Level One images "depict nudity or erotic posing, but no sexual activity" explained the prosecutor. "There is one of Level Two. A girl wearing no underwear.

"Both admitted using Boots' machinery to copy prints and admitted looking at them and showing them to others.

"The collection got so big they had to store it in the cupboard," added Mr. LeGrys.

All the images of the unknown girls involve females aged approximately 12 - 17 years-old.

The defendant's lawyer Miss I Hussain told the court: "Basically in relation to these offences both worked at Boots together in this lab and on occasion they would reprint photo's.

"There were also photo's of concerts, anything that was of interest to them."

Urging the court not to jail her clients she added: "These were isolated offences. There was no commercial element, the distribution was just between them. There were searches of their addresses and nothing was found there.

"They have lost their good character and will be subject to the Sex Offender's Register and they have lost their employment.

"They are now both on benefits, not in a position to look for work while awaiting sentencing and will have to ensure any future employer knows about these convictions.

"It was not a sophisticated offence and there does not seem to be a high level of personal interest," added Miss Hussain. "These men have been working lengthy hours and this has happened in the time they have been working.

"It is not a case where they have gone looking for such photo's and there is no contact with any paedophiles.

"They reprinted the photographs, looked at them, then put them away in a bag or box and not looked at them again," said the lawyer.

"A lot of them are teenage girls in their bedrooms maybe getting ready for a night out.

"I ask you not to give them prison sentences. This isn't something that would happen again," the lawyer told District Judge Mr. Stuart Black.

The Judge refused a prosecution application for a child protection order banning the defendant's from possessing images of children after Miss Hussain said Mr. Befroy's photograph's of his daughter displayed all over his house would immediately put him in breach if one was made.

"I don't think this would work in these circumstances," she said. "He would be unable to fulfill his fatherly duties."

Mr. Black imposed three-year supervision orders on both defendants and ordered them to attend the Community Sex Offenders Group Work Programme.

He told them: "I am concerned about the number of photograph's, the length of time and the covert and secretive behaviour that was going on as well as the breach of trust. These are serious matters, frankly."

A spokesman for the company said: "There are strict operating procedures in place to safeguard customers' confidentiality when developing photos and were are extremely concerned that these former employees appeared to have breached them all in an act of gross misconduct.

"We have a zero tolerance policy to issues of this nature and would like to reassure our customers that we have taken these allegations extremely seriously and acted immediately when they came to light."

Gunman Hunted After Travel Agent Robbery

This is the man Flying Squad Detectives are hunting following an armed raid at a high street travel agents.

Staff were threatened at gunpoint at First Choice, St. Mary's Lane, Upminster, Essex, on December 4, last year and foreign currency was snatched.

CCTV images of the suspect have been released by the Barking-based squad.

The suspect entered the branch on three occasions on the same day, pretending to enquire about a honeymoon and foreign currency.

On the third occasion, he approached the staff at the bureau de change and pointed a gun at a member of staff making threats before taking a quantity of cash and fleeing via a rear fire exit.

The suspect is described as white, five feet eight inches tall of medium build with a thin face and a large nose. He spoke with a London accent and was wearing a black beanie hat and black puffer jacket.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 4226 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Street Dealer Caught In Secret Police Drugs Sting

A crack and heroin dealer caught in an undercover police sting at a notorious drugs hotspot has been jailed for two years and four months.

Jobless Aaron Dutton, 28, White Hart Lane, Tottenham, North London, sold £20-£30 wraps of the drug to ‘Dave’ in Quill Street Market, Finsbury Park.

He pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court to three counts of supplying crack cocaine and three counts of supplying heroin on three consecutive days between July 21 and 23, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Mark James-Dawson told the court undercover police were targeting the area’s drug dealers and an officer identified only as ‘Dave’ made the “test purchases” when approached by Dutton.

The defendant gave the officer his mobile phone number to set up future deals and was also filmed by an undercover surveillance team.

He vanished when paid £20 for drugs on August 13, but was eventually arrested and charged on January 19, this year.

“Through these courts day after day pass thieves, robbers and burglars who steal to buy drugs,” Judge John Hillen told junkie Dutton. “Those involved in the supply of drugs are responsible for crime on a huge scale.

“You were part of a chain of criminality and were caught by a police undercover operation.”

In The Dock: Five Accused Of £219m Inland Revenue Fraud

Two senior executives of stock-market accountancy firm Vantis, their wives and a financial advisor – all accused of a £219 million charitable tax scam – have appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Hundreds of investors are said to have participated in the Vantis tax scheme, including an Oscar-winning movie executive, celebrity psychiatrist, senior City bankers, top lawyers and company directors.

Robert Faichney, 51, managing director of Vantis’ tax division and his wife Shirley Faichney, 51, both of Barnhill, Pinner Middlesex, were bailed along with their co-defendants to return on May 21.

They appeared alongside David Perrin, 44, the tax division’s deputy managing director and his wife Nicola Perrin, 37, both of Leagrave, Luton, and financial advisor Vikash Kulkar, 55, of Waldegrave Road, Twickenham.

All five are with one count of cheating her Majesty and the Public Revenue in a prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs.

The two executives are accused of devising and promoting a tax scheme that took advantage of the legislation providing tax relief on the donations of shares to charities.

Their wives are accused of involvement in their husband’s dealings and Kulkar is alleged to have attracted investors to the scheme.

The investigation relates to 328 million shares listed on the Channel Island Stock Exchange sold to investors at a value of £1 with subsequent tax relief claimed.

No pleas were entered and a trial date at the court (pictured) was set for February 21, next year.

Romanian Cashpoint Trickster Caged Again

A member of a Romanian gang of cashpoint fraudsters – caught by police for the second time tampering with ATM’s – has been jailed for sixteen months.

Mechanic Laurentiu Bunu, 23, of Speyside, Southgate, pleaded guilty to possessing an article in connection with fraud, namely a ‘Lebanese Loop’, in Holloway Road, Holloway, on February 5.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard it was 10.45 pm when officers spotted three Romanians, including the defendant, acting suspiciously near the Nat West Bank and Post Office cashpoint machines.

The trio tried to walk away when approached and unsuccessfully dispose of incriminating evidence, namely credit card-sized plastic gift vouchers they had glued together.

Bunu’s car was searched and police found the ‘Lebanese Loop’ a device, which holds unsuspecting victims’, cards in the machine to be later retrieved by the fraudsters.

Bunu, who arrived in the U.K. in 2006, was jailed for six months in June 2008, for a similar offence.

“You are a thoroughly dishonest man,” Judge John Hillen told Bunu. “You and others like you have devised ways of preying on the public with the purpose of stealing from their bank accounts.

“You were part of a team of fraudsters and thieves in possession of equipment to be used in a dishonest way. You had an element of sophistication and pre-meditation.”

The two co-defendants, who also pleaded guilty to the same charge, were remanded in custody until April 8 for sentencing.

Pop Star Estelle's Criminal Cousin Dodges Custody

The criminal cousin of chart-topping Grammy-winning pop star ‘Estelle’ dodged a return to prison today (Thursday) when sentenced for having £350 worth of party-drugs cocaine and ecstasy on him when stopped by armed police.

Jude Lebaga, 30, was originally charged with dealing after officers searched his former Barking home – seizing more cocaine and ecstasy, plus a set of scales – but those allegations were dropped.

Lebaga, of 63 Bicknoller Road, Enfield, who grew up with Hammersmith-born Estelle Fanta Swaray, 29, (pictured) who had a No. 1 hit with American Boy pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs in Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith on January 23, last year.

The prosecution dropped charges of intending to supply those drugs plus possessing further quantities of cocaine and ecstasy at 72 Chelmer Crescent, Barking, with intent to supply.

He was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to an eighteen-month community order and was ordered to perform 150 hours unpaid community service work.

His arrest was a major embarrassment for the star who months earlier spearheaded the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Trident “Respect. You Don’t Need A Gun To Get It,” anti-black on black crime drive.

In fact it was reportedly Operation Trident officers who stopped Lebaga, who has criminal convictions and was once sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

An order was made for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Estelle wrote the song 1980 about being raised in the same four-bed house as her cousins, uncles and aunts and brothers.

Some members were “in and out of prison daily,” she said.

Her Senegalese mother and Lebaga’s mother are sisters.

Woman Caged For Landlord Murder

A bogus tenant who drugged a landlord so her accomplice could brutally beat him to death has been caged for life at the Old Bailey.

Katsiaryna Komar, 27, of Hulse Avenue, Barking, Essex, posed as a would-be tenant when viewing a room rented by 43 year-old Kemal Ozdemir, of Gladstone Avenue, Wood Green, North London.

Komar (pic. bottom) was convicted of murdering Mr. Ozdemie (pic. top) some time between April 26 and May 2, 2008 and will be locked up for a minimum of 17 years.

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Hill, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "Katsiaryna Komar facilitated a violent attack on Mr Ozdemir, resulting in his death.

"He was murdered after agreeing to assist Komar by offering her lodgings at his address.

"She came to view his spare room, but instead, she abused his trust, drugging him before calling another man to the property.

Mr Ozdemir was then restrained and subjected to a prolonged beating, which led to his death.

"The motive of the attack remains unclear, although it is likely that it was for financial gain."

On May 2 officers forced their way into the address because Mr. Ozdemir had not been seen for some time.

Inside the address officers found the body of Mr Ozdemir and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as multiple trauma injuries to the chest, neck and head caused by a blunt instrument.