Members of a criminal gang that smuggled almost £30 mn in cash from the UK to Dubai have been jailed following a National Crime Agency investigation.
The group transported criminal proceeds through Manchester, Birmingham and Brussels airports between 2017 and 2019, using Emirates flights to move cash to the United Arab Emirates. Bolton Crown Court heard that the money had been collected from organised crime groups across northern England and was often linked to drug dealing.
Judge Abigail Hudson described those involved as a “shallow group of individuals” who “revelled in spending obscene amounts of money”. She said they were fully aware the cash came from serious criminal activity and were indifferent to its origins.
- Sophie Logan, 31, formerly of Derby and living in Dubai during the conspiracy, received the longest sentence at seven years and six months. The court heard she worked closely with the alleged organiser and helped arrange accommodation, meals and nights out for cash couriers.
- Heather Jeffrey, 58, from Bradford, was sentenced to six years and six months, while Devanyl Graham, 27, from Dewsbury, received six years. Lamara Noel, 34, from Bradford, was jailed for five years, and Ben Royle, 32, formerly of Wilmslow and now living in London, received four years and three months.
- Sheikh Jobe, 33, from Manchester, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and placed under a three-month curfew. The judge said Jobe had only limited knowledge of the scale of the operation.
The NCA found that couriers concealed large quantities of cash inside suitcases before flying to Dubai. CCTV footage gathered during the investigation showed couriers arriving at Manchester Airport with multiple suitcases later found to contain cash.
The operation also involved Emirates check-in employee Emma Rauf, 34, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, who admitted entering into a money laundering arrangement. Prosecutors said she helped couriers avoid scrutiny by allowing overweight suitcases containing cash through check-in.
When Rauf wasn’t working, she instructed colleagues to process the luggage in the same way. Investigators also found she travelled to Dubai seven times in seven months while reporting sick for work and exchanged messages indicating she knew the organiser was sending cash couriers along the route.
Sheldan Noel, 30, from Bradford, is due to be sentenced on 27 November, while Rauf is due to be sentenced on 29 October. The alleged organiser is awaiting extradition to the UK and cannot be named for legal reasons.
NCA branch commander Jon Hughes said the group moved large quantities of money abroad to keep it away from law enforcement. He said illicit cash remains central to organised crime and funds wider criminal activity, including violence.
