UPS supervisor used position to smuggle cocaine
Zak Archbold, 30, known as 'King', was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday for his role in a £10 million cocaine smuggling ring. As a supervisor at the UPS depot in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, he ensured dozens of parcels containing class A drugs shipped from the Netherlands passed through customs undetected and were directed to the correct truck for collection by another gang member.
Co-defendant Steven Bullen sentenced to over 16 years
Steven Bullen, 51, who directed operations from his villa in Spain, was sentenced to 16 years and four months. He admitted conspiring to supply 790 kilos of cocaine, 242 kilos of MDMA, and 114 kilos of amphetamine. The smuggling operation involved 290 kilos of cocaine, with evidence showing Archbold's involvement after falling into debt.
Judge highlights criminal hierarchy and risks
Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC stated that Archbold 'enthusiastically played your part' after getting involved due to debt. Bullen had a leading role in a hierarchy where drivers used aliases like 'B52 bomber' and secret compartments in cars. The judge remarked: 'Taking part in the way you both did in high-level criminality involving this amount of drugs is a pathway of risk and reward. The reward is financial, and the risk is prosecution and conviction. You both chose to walk that pathway and must face the consequences.'
EncroChat crackdown led to convictions
The gang used EncroChat aliases including 'Veggie Kray', 'Ghost', and 'Cuddly Bandit', with Archbold referred to as 'King'. Law enforcement accessed the encrypted system in 2020, leading to the crackdown. Archbold denied being 'King' at trial, but was caught by messages warning a driver that a side scheme stealing from UPS customers risked exposing the drug operation.
Prosecutor's statement on cross-border cooperation
Gemma Vincent from the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'Zak Archbold abused his position while working for a reputable courier company and facilitated the importation of cocaine from Europe into the UK. Their convictions would not have been possible without the combined efforts of prosecutors in the UK, Spain and France, Spanish law enforcement teams, and the NCA. Going forward, we will seek to confiscate their ill-gotten gains and we hope these sentences serve as a deterrent to other would-be criminals. Drugs have a devastating and costly impact on society, and we will continue to work across borders to prosecute those who seek to flood our streets for their own gain.'
Both defendants were convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine, while Bullen also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. A serious crime prevention order was imposed on Bullen.
