An organised criminal gang that smuggled millions of pounds worth of cannabis from the United States into South Wales through the postal system has been jailed. The operation was led by 28-year-old Abubakr Khawar from the Riverside area of Cardiff, who received an eight-year prison sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard that the gang, consisting of 11 members, was involved in large-scale drug importation and distribution. Border Force intercepted 327 kilograms (721 pounds) of cannabis with an estimated street value of £11 million, but at least 58 shipments successfully entered the UK. Prosecutor Roger Griffiths described the enterprise as “drug importation and supply on an industrial scale.”
Khawar was seen in videos handling one-pound (0.45kg) packages of cannabis, known as “cali packs,” which were being prepared for 3.5g street deals. He reportedly received instructions from a man referred to as “Adam Z” in the United States, who orchestrated the operation. The cannabis was shipped from multiple U.S. states, including California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Ohio. Some of the shipments were disguised as Yankee Candle parcels.
The court was told that the gang generated daily profits ranging between £3,000 and £10,000. Khawar’s second-in-command, 29-year-old Mohammed Nurul Hussain, also from Cardiff, was sentenced to six years. The judge described him as crucial to the organisation’s infrastructure, handling the storage and distribution of the drugs. He was motivated by a desire to pay off personal debts, and £7,000 in cash was found in his home during the arrest.
Other gang members received significant sentences. Solomon Bertram, 36, was sentenced to 22 months after police intercepted an 8kg shipment destined for him. He had been recruited by his girlfriend, Sophie Jones, who also convinced her brother, Keiran Jones, to get involved. Keiran was sentenced to 26 months after authorities intercepted cannabis valued at £277,000 addressed to him. Sophie Jones, 32, is due to be sentenced next month.
Steven Munroe, 45, received five packages at his home, although four were intercepted by law enforcement. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison. Kyle Solowyk, 29, from Barry, received a 34-month sentence after two packages containing approximately 2kg of cannabis were linked to his addresses. He refused to unlock his phone for investigators and had a prior conviction for robbery, having spent nine years in a young offenders’ institution.
Sean Montgomery, 24, was regarded as a trusted gang member. He was sent to a Royal Mail sorting office to recover ten missing parcels worth £60,000. These had already been seized by authorities. Montgomery had also taken a photo of himself with £20,000 worth of cannabis on his lap. He was sentenced to three years and six months. He had prior convictions for diamorphine and crack cocaine supply.
Andrew Pethers, 36, from St Mellons, Cardiff, was involved in the supply chain and received a three-year sentence. A shipment of 3.2kg of high-grade cannabis addressed to him was intercepted. Daniel Marshall, 40, a father of two from Merthyr Tydfil, received a 32-month sentence. He had a gambling problem and was involved in the operation’s distribution.
Abdu Husain, 28, from Cardiff, was described as highly trusted and aware of law enforcement tactics. He played a significant role in the organisation’s logistics and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Judge Eugene Egan emphasised that this was not a case of minor involvement but a well-structured, highly profitable criminal enterprise that required deliberate planning and coordination. He rejected the idea that some defendants played small roles, stating, “It is too simplistic to say ‘all I did was receive a small amount of cannabis through the post.’”
The full list of those sentenced includes Abubakr Khawar, Daniel Marshall, Andrew Pethers, Sophie Jones, Kyle Solowyk, Keiran Jones, Solomon Bertram, Mohammed Nurul Hussain, Abdu Huriara Husain, Sean Montgomery, and Steven Munroe.
