Two UK men were sentenced to a combined total of over 16 years in prison for importing over 320 kilograms of cannabis from the US.
Adenaurys Anglero Abreu and Akil Beale
The Nottinghamshire police established that between July 2022 and January 2023, 27-year-old Adenaurys Anglero Abreu and 24-year-old Akil Beale conspired in the resale of large quantities of cannabis purchased from a dark web vendor based in the US.
Police arrested the duo in a car on January 16, 2023, after they saw them exit a residence carrying a large carrier bag into the car. The carrier bag was filled with cannabis in vacuum-sealed bags. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 10 kilograms of cannabis, thousands of pounds in cash, and electronic devices.
Investigations that followed the bust revealed that Abreu had been importing large quantities of cannabis from the US and having it mailed to 12 different addresses. 29 of the drug packages had been intercepted resulting in the seizure of 142.53 kilograms of cannabis. Investigators suspect most of the packages went undetected and Abreu received approximately 180 kilos of drugs.
Once delivered, Abreu used an undisclosed App to distribute the drugs. Beale was Abreu’s “right-hand man” and oversaw the distribution of the cannabis.
Abreu pleaded guilty to importation of a Class B drug, supply of cannabis, and possession of criminal property. Beale pleaded guilty to supplying a Class B drug and possession of criminal property.
On January 31, 2024, the Nottingham Crown Court sentenced Abreu to 10 years and six months in prison. Beale was jailed for six years.