The leader of a drug gang responsible for flooding a seaside town with £1.3 million worth of cocaine has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Marc Kane, 43, fled from armed police through a series of gardens before being discovered hiding in a garden shed under a carpet.
Dramatic Arrest
Bodycam footage released by Norfolk Police shows the dramatic pursuit. An armed officer attempts to push open a garden door when Kane appears, climbing over a fence bordering an alleyway where police are positioned. Spotting the suspect, the officer points a gun laser at Kane and chases after him as the drug boss jumps and scales the alleyway between two fences, slipping into a neighbouring garden.
The officer peers over the fence and points at Kane, who awkwardly clambers over the fence wearing a black t-shirt and blue shorts. Kane continues scrambling over consecutive garden fences while the officer watches, unable to follow. The footage then shows a cluttered garden shed with pink floral bunting. Turning behind a wooden frame, the officer spots a leg hidden under a grey-and-white carpet in the corner. Cornered, Kane pushes away his makeshift camouflage and holds his hands in a praying position as a red laser dot focuses on his body.
After his arrest, Kane seemingly laments his aches and pains, putting a purple pillow aside and unfolding himself, suppressing a smile. He then accepts the officer's hand and hoists himself to his feet.
The Tupperware Gang
Kane led a large-scale drug operation known as the 'Tupperware Gang', which hid large quantities of cocaine in plastic containers within hedgerows bordering quiet country lanes in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Friday.
Judge Anthony Bate stated that Kane took a 'leading role' in the operation and was 'well acquainted in class A drug dealing'. Prosecutor Lori Tucker said Kane bought and sold drugs on a 'commercial scale', with clear signs of expecting 'significant financial advantage'.
Kane is the seventh member of the gang to be arrested. Six others—Ashley Youngman, 34; Dominic Wilkins, 25; Hayder Gilgil, 20; Joe Drysdale, 31; Ben French, 49; and Michael Rushmer, 34—were previously jailed for a combined total of 25 years and 8 months.
Operation Accent
The investigation, named Operation Accent, was run by Norfolk Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit between March and August 2024. Kane co-led the gang with Youngman but held ultimate control, evidenced by his number being saved in another dealer's phone as 'Coreleone', referencing The Godfather character Vito Corleone.
Defence lawyer Danielle O'Donovan argued that Kane was 'not a lone actor' nor 'the lead actor in this enterprise'. However, the court heard that Kane flaunted his wealth despite having no legitimate income. Following his arrest, designer clothing worth £20,530 was seized from his home. He also spent £12,545 at Louis Vuitton over three months, bought a £22,000 Range Rover Evoque with cash, and spent £17,000 on tickets for an online competition to win a motorbike, which he won. Additionally, £6,000 was spent on hire vehicles used to move drugs between January and August 2024.
Police Statement
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Eddie Hammond said: 'Kane and Youngman saw themselves as 'untouchable'—the fact that they are both now behind bars is testament to months of hard work by dedicated officers. Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for organised crime groups. While the leaders of this OCG flaunted that wealth, their enterprise brought a culture of violence and addiction to the local community. The fact that members of this gang have now been jailed for a total of more than 37 years sends a clear message that we will continue to target those responsible for the supply of drugs in Norfolk and ensure offenders are held accountable before the courts.'
