A convicted drug dealer who continued running his cocaine empire from behind bars has had his jail sentence nearly doubled after authorities uncovered his £1 million smuggling operation.
Nico Logan, 31, who was already serving 16 years for firearms and drug offences, used a phone inside HMP Manchester (Strangeways) to orchestrate the importation of 12kg of cocaine from the Netherlands.
How the Plot Unraveled
Logan’s phone records linked him to a parcel intercepted by border guards at Birmingham Airport in June 2023. The package, destined for Wythenshawe, Manchester, contained twelve brown-taped bricks of high-purity cocaine worth an estimated £1.2 million.
Police Surveillance & Arrests
Following the seizure, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched a covert operation, tracking Michael Garside, 34, as he collected the drug-filled parcel.
Garside was seen placing the package in his car before driving to another address in Cedars Road, Wythenshawe.
He then made a call to Logan in prison, which police believe was an update on the delivery.
Officers arrested Garside, recovered the drugs, and later traced his phone records, confirming he was working under Logan’s instructions.
Sentencing
Logan was found guilty of conspiracy to import and supply cocaine and received an additional 15-year sentence, bringing his total time behind bars to 31 years.
Garside pleaded guilty to his role in the operation and was sentenced to nine years and seven months.
Police Statement
Detective Constable Marc Walby of GMP said:
“Despite being locked up, Logan continued to build on his illicit enterprise, seeking to make vast profits from the trade of a highly destructive commodity.”
Authorities continue to crack down on organized crime networks operating from UK prisons, targeting those who exploit loopholes to run drug empires behind bars.
