Two men have been jailed for three years each for their roles in a cannabis delivery operation that saw parcels sent from Canada to student accommodations in Leeds. The scheme, which involved the importation of cannabis worth £1 million, was uncovered by West Yorkshire Police in April.
The Operation
Jinshuo Dong, 24, and Jingshu Wong, 28, both Chinese nationals, played pivotal roles as “foot soldiers” in a larger smuggling network. Their job was to organize the delivery of cannabis to university student flats in Leeds, a city where they had recruited students to receive the illicit parcels on their behalf.
The drugs were shipped from Canada, where cannabis is legal, and arrived in the UK disguised as parcels addressed to students living at various university accommodations. The packages, which contained around 9kg of cannabis, were intercepted when a suspicious Chinese man, later linked to the operation, tried to collect them from student residences at Iconinc, The Glassworks, and the Terry Frost building. However, he was refused entry by accommodation staff, who retained the parcels for police inspection.
The Arrests
Dong and Wong were arrested on 2 May at Dong’s home in East Parade, Leeds. After initially denying their involvement, they later pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal importation of cannabis. The operation had seen 63 parcels, containing a total of 108kg of cannabis, intercepted by Border Force. The estimated street value of the seized drugs was over £1 million.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Herbert of West Yorkshire Police commented, “These men were involved in what was clearly a very significant criminal enterprise importing cannabis into the UK on a huge scale.” He noted that although Dong and Wong were lower-level operatives in a larger network, their roles were crucial to the operation and contributed to a substantial drug trafficking network in the region.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the ongoing issue of international drug trafficking, with cannabis being smuggled into the UK from countries where it is legally produced. The case also sheds light on the involvement of university students in drug-related activities, often as unknowing or coerced participants.
West Yorkshire Police continue to investigate the larger criminal network, while Border Force remains vigilant in intercepting similar drug shipments entering the UK.
