Doncaster man jailed for role in a £2 million cocaine plot

Benjamin Cahill, aged 30, of Doncaster, was jailed after a 12-week case at Teesside Crown Court.

Police revealed drug dealers, including Cahill, planned to pick up 50kg of cocaine, worth £2million, from Tilbury Docks, Essex in 2015. But they were spotted by security staff before they could recover it.

The cocaine was seized by law enforcement and a major investigation began.

Northumbria police today revealed Cahill was later involved in a plan to steal 27kg of cocaine from a site in Gateshead.

Other gang members set out to hunt down those responsible.

Cahill was captured and assaulted, but escaped to a police station – not realising he had fled in a car containing 2kg of the stolen cocaine, which was traced to the Tilbury Dock supply – and police proved the kidnap was connected.

Following Cahill’s arrest detectives at North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) joined officers from Northumbria and Durham police to investigate.

The International Crime Coordination Centre and Europol helped trace other gang members.

On March 25, a jury convicted Yvan Nikolic, David Gloyne and Melanie Bevan of conspiracy to supply. Cahill and Anthony Sweeney previously pleaded guilty in 2020 – but were sentenced following the conviction of their associates.

The sentences were:

Cahill, 30, of Doncaster, previously admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was jailed for five years and three months .

Sweeney, 34, of Crake Way, Washington, previously admitted conspiring to supply class A drugs, kidnap, false imprisonment and assault and was jailed for 10 years.

Nikolic, 56, of Rue Domat, Paris, was convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and jailed for 21 years with a minimum term of 10-and-a-half years.

Gloyne, 37, of Plawsworth, Durham, was convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, kidnap and false imprisonment and was jailed for 21 years with a minimum term of 10-and-a-half years.

Bevan, 44, of Milton Grove, Shotton, County Durham, was convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and due to be sentenced on May 4.

Detective Inspector Alan Turner from NERSOU, said: “The conclusion of this case marks the end of an intricate investigation that required close co-operation between the police, CPS, and international law enforcement agencies.”

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