A group of drug dealers, including a man from Coventry, has been sentenced for supplying millions of pounds worth of cocaine.
Martin Brown, along with Mark Cheadle, Paul Paterson, and James Piotrowski, were jailed earlier this week for their roles in a major drug conspiracy. A comprehensive investigation by the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) revealed they were transporting hundreds of kilos of cocaine from London and Bedfordshire to distribute throughout the Midlands.
On November 10, 2022, officers stopped a van hired by the group on the M6, discovering 130 kilos of cocaine in the back. The driver, Martin Brown, from Coventry, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. The cocaine was found in green refuse sacks, with the blocks stamped with the Latin phrase “alea iacta est,” meaning “the die is cast.”
Following Brown’s arrest, Piotrowski was apprehended the same day, with 10 kilos of cocaine found in his van, also marked with the same phrase. Mark Cheadle and Paul Patterson were later arrested as the suppliers of the drugs to Brown and Piotrowski.
After an extensive investigation, all four defendants were charged and sentenced on August 14.
- Mark Cheadle, 57, of Ridgmont, Bedfordshire, received 15 years and 2 months.
- Paul Patterson, 43, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months.
- Martin Brown, 40, of Foster Road, Coventry, received 13 years and 7 months.
- James Piotrowski, 40, of Trescott Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to 6 years.