A former baggage handler at Manchester Airport has been jailed for his role in a drug smuggling operation that saw cocaine worth £1.4 million hidden inside passenger suitcases.
Michael Gafa, 32, was sentenced to five years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to attempting to import the Class A drug. The court heard how Gafa exploited his position at the airport to bypass security checks.
How the Operation Unfolded
Investigators discovered that Gafa had been working with an organised crime group to smuggle the drugs from Jamaica to the UK. The cocaine was concealed in the lining of suitcases belonging to unsuspecting travellers.
Authorities became suspicious after noticing irregularities in baggage handling records. A subsequent investigation led to Gafa's arrest in February 2023.
Police Response
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh of the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit stated: "This case demonstrates how criminals attempt to exploit positions of trust within our transport networks. Our officers worked tirelessly to dismantle this operation."
The judge emphasised the severity of the offence, noting that airport workers who abuse their access privileges undermine public safety and national security.
