London, UK – Two men in their 30s, Jimmy Gottshalk and Calvin Crump, are facing accusations of hiring a hitman, Michael Ematuwo, who has a history of criminal activity dating back to when he was just 14 years old. The trio is allegedly involved in a plot to smuggle £40 million worth of cocaine into Britain, with Ematuwo being convicted of manslaughter at a young age.
The court proceedings reveal that the gang hired Ematuwo to murder a drug rival for a significant sum of £100,000. Peter Thompson, another individual implicated in the case, was reportedly caught with a handgun and ammunition intended for use in the hit, according to testimonies from jurors.
It is understood that the group profited immensely from importing cocaine into the UK, with approximately 1000 kilograms of the illegal substance smuggled through 50 importations in a span of just two and a half months. The imported cocaine was then broken down into smaller parcels for distribution across the UK, resulting in substantial financial gains.
Prosecutors claim that the conspirators purchased the cocaine for around £30,000 per kilogram and sold it for up to £40,000 per kilogram. The criminal operation is estimated to have generated between £3.5 million and £7 million in profit over the short period of two and a half months, illustrating the lucrative nature of the illicit drug trade.
Ematuwo, identified by Gottshalk as a potential hitman, was offered a substantial sum of £100,000 for the job. Thompson has admitted to being part of a conspiracy to import large amounts of cocaine, while Crump has confessed to involvement in the supply of the illegal substance. Despite the accusations, the defendants deny conspiracy to commit murder and other related charges.
The court also heard about the use of the EncroChat messaging app by the defendants, with each individual identified by their respective handles. The secretive nature of the app, which utilized end-to-end encryption, posed challenges for law enforcement in accessing communications related to criminal activities.
The trial continues as prosecutors present evidence linking the defendants to the alleged criminal conspiracy, shedding light on the intricate web of illicit drug trafficking and violence. As the case unfolds, authorities aim to dismantle the operation and hold those involved accountable for their actions.