Annex 8: INTERCEPTION CASE STUDIES (7.18 above)
Case 1
1.
A criminal investigation into a UK-based organised crime group involved in the
importation of Class A drugs from South America.
2.
Interception assisted in identifying the command and control structure of the group and
their associates in other European countries. It identified individuals responsible for
facilitating the supply of drugs and also those involved in establishing front companies
for importing legal goods. Intercept provided intelligence on the modus operandi
employed by the group, the dates and location of the importation, and the storage place
of a series of drug shipments.
3.
This resulted in the arrest of UK-based members of the group and their co- conspirators
overseas, as well as the seizure of significant quantities of Class ‘A’ drugs, foreign
currency, firearms and ammunition. Intercept material provided key intelligence which
was pivotal in building an evidential case and ended in the successful prosecution of
the defendants. It also served to enhance the Serious Organised Crime Agency
[SOCA]18’s working relationships with overseas partners involved in the investigation.
Case 2
4.
A criminal investigation into an organised crime group based in the south east of
England involved in acquiring, supplying, and storing firearms in the UK.
5.
Interception provided intelligence on the structure of the organised crime group, its
methods of working, and the types of crime it was involved in. It helped to identify the
types of firearm and the locations where the weapons and ammunition were stored.
This led to the seizure of weaponry which ranged from handguns to automatic
weapons, as well as significant quantities of ammunition. It also provided intelligence
on turf wars with other groups operating in the area, which was critical to operational
planning.
6.
The intelligence provided by intercept was developed further and helped to identify
those responsible for the wholesale supply of firearms in Europe. It also revealed
changes to the structure of the group and its weaknesses, enabling SOCA to re- focus
the investigation.
7.
The result was the successful prosecution of a significant number of gang members
involved in the supply and distribution of firearms.
Case 3
8.
A criminal investigation into a pattern of escalating violence between a number of rival
organised crime groups, including street gangs linked to the London drug economy,
operating across the capital.
18
Now replaced by the NCA.
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