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Indian-origin drug dealer jailed for 18 years in UK
An investigation revealed his role in brokering drug imports worth over $5 million.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 03, Apr 2025
- 12:57 EDT
- 79
Heemal Vaid / nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
An Indian-origin drug dealer was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the United Kingdom for orchestrating the import and sale of narcotics worth over $5 million.
Heemal Vaid, 49, of Cheam, used EncroChat—an encrypted phone service favored by criminals—to arrange drug deals, unaware that in 2020, an international law enforcement team had cracked its encryption.
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The investigation, part of Operation Venetic, identified Vaid as the user “Starkcake,” revealing his role in brokering drug imports.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), Vaid arranged for the importation of 96 kg of cocaine, valued at approximately $4.5 million, from Brazil over one month in 2020. He also facilitated the weekly import of up to 15 kg of cocaine from the Netherlands and the supply of 20 kg of heroin and 1 kg of cocaine within the UK.
“As investigators painstakingly examined each of Starkcake’s messages, it became clear that he was a linchpin in the criminal world,” said lead investigating officer Luke Seldon. “He had the links to drug suppliers overseas and those selling potentially fatal substances on UK streets.”
Vaid also engaged in money laundering, managing illicit proceeds from drug sales. Investigators identified his real identity through financial transactions, mobile data, and messages linking him to locations he mentioned.
“By taking a pivotal person like Vaid out of the service of organised crime groups, the NCA is disrupting the supply of the most dangerous drugs in the UK and taking the profit out of ruining lives,” Seldon said.
Vaid was arrested at his home in April 2024. He pleaded guilty to 12 drug-related and proceeds of crime charges, along with a conspiracy to blackmail count linked to threats made against a debtor.
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