Former MPS detective jailed for 22 years for his part in £200m drugs conspiracy

A former Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) detective has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his part in a £200 million cocaine smuggling plot.

Michael Daly, 49, is already serving an eight-year sentence for a similar offence.

A former fireman, Allan Wells, also admitted his part in the conspiracy and will serve 15 years.
Mr Daly, of no fixed address, used the skills and knowledge he acquired while a drugs squad detective with the MPS to mastermind the operation that saw him receive £100,000.

Mr Wells was in charge of the logistics of the operation to smuggle 1,554kg of high-quality cocaine into the Republic of Ireland as he had family living on the coast.

The plot was discovered when the boat ferrying the drugs ran out of fuel in rough seas and was shipwrecked off the Irish coast on July 2, 2007.

Three other men – Perry Wharrie, Martin Wanden and Joe Daly – were convicted in Cork, the Irish Republic. A fourth man, Gerard Hagan, was jailed after pleading guilty to being involved in the plot.

Detective Inspector Grant Johnson, from the MPS’ Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “This was a gang of highly-organised criminals, predominantly from the London area. However, their criminality had extended internationally. Driven by greed, their activities would no doubt have netted them large sums of money had it not been for law enforcement agencies, particularly our Irish colleagues, working in partnership to identify and convict those concerned.

“Daly, one of the ring leaders, was an ex-Met detective who, once leaving the service, clearly abused the knowledge and skills he gained as a police officer for criminal gain. We hope this shows that no matter who you are, or what job you do, if you commit the crime the consequences will follow.”