Hull man jailed for £9.7m cocaine import operation
Police uncover large-scale drugs network linked to the Netherlands
A Hull man has been jailed for nine years after police uncovered his role in importing millions of pounds worth of cocaine from the Netherlands.
Wayne Young, 35, of Sheldon Close, appeared at Hull Crown Court on 21 October 2025, where he admitted importing and supplying Class A drugs, as well as possessing Class B cannabis.
The investigation began in February 2022, when UK Border Force officers at Birmingham Airport intercepted four parcels from the Netherlands disguised as coffee machines. Inside were 15kg of near-pure cocaine, worth around £1.5 million.
Police later searched Young’s home, discovering a drug processing setup with a hydraulic press, mixing agents, cash, and 1kg of high-purity cocaine. The total value of drugs found there was £146,000.
Further enquiries revealed at least 15 other similar deliveries, with an estimated street value of £8.1 million, traced to Young’s wider drug network.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Clough said:
“The harmful influence of drugs, and the networks that profit from them, will never be tolerated in our communities.
This sentencing sends a clear message — if you’re involved in drug trafficking, we will do everything we can to ensure you are brought before the courts.”