Darryl Tawiah, 42, from Southwark, London, was already serving an 18-year sentence for drugs and firearms offences when he was caught again last year by the National Crime Agency (NCA) for running a major drug ring from prison.
Using prison phones, Tawiah communicated with a Netherlands-based drug supplier, who had a history of cocaine imports and remained under investigation in the Netherlands even after early deportation. Wiretaps revealed Tawiah sourcing wholesale Class A drugs and directing their sale across London and the South East.
The gang reportedly moved an astonishing two tonnes of high-grade narcotics. In one intercepted conversation, the Dutch contact said: “I want you to move 50 a week, don’t talk to me about one.” Tawiah replied: “No problem Bro… I need to get more money in…”
Tawiah openly discussed buying cocaine in bulk and used slang terms such as ‘coffee’ for heroin. He also inquired about “2C,” street slang for liquid GHB, a drug associated with ‘date rape’ incidents in affluent West End areas like Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Chelsea.
Several gang members and couriers were arrested last March and charged with Class A drug offences and money laundering. Steven Johnson, 37, handled drug deliveries across London. Rosemond Agyemang, 59, laundered millions in drug cash and was caught with thousands in cash near Oval station in 2019. Dorian Vaciulis, 34, worked for the Dutch supplier collecting drugs and cash. Ali Reza Shokrolahi, 41, a lorry driver linked to 30kg of cocaine seized at the UK border, skipped bail. Faisal Guled, 34, a Dutch national based in Camden, ran a county line from London to Northampton.
Tawiah, Johnson, Vaciulis, and Guled have now been sentenced to a combined total of 70 years behind bars. Agyemang was jailed for one year last year.
Jason Hulme, NCA Operations Manager, said: “This three-year probe smashed a ruthless gang that flooded UK streets with tonnes of cocaine — fuelling addiction, violence and exploitation.” He added, “Tawiah’s network did his dirty work, lining their pockets with huge profits.”
“Thanks to our teams, plus the Dutch police and Dublin’s Criminal Assets Bureau, we’ve locked these criminals up and sent a clear message to anyone tempted to follow in their footsteps.”
“One crook, Ali Reza Shokrolahi, remains on the run. If you know where he is, call the NCA on 0370 496 7622 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
