Columbian criminals, believed to be the first in the UK to process cocaine chemically hidden in hair wax bars, have been imprisoned. Humberto Caicedo Ramirez, 53, and Carlos Barbosa Arias, 61, were caught during a police raid on their makeshift laboratory in a flat in Vauxhall, south London. Authorities discovered soap bars prepared for smuggling into the UK containing 3.51 kilograms of cocaine worth £211,320.
Video footage captured the intense moment when City of London Police apprehended the duo, following a tip-off from the UK Border Force. Gang member Sebastian Camacho Lopez, 31, was observed entering a property carrying a bag suspected to hold drugs, later returning with Ramirez and Arias, all carrying suspicious items. Specialized officers broke into the premises to find Ramirez and Arias actively processing cocaine in a homemade lab, with Arias serving as the group’s chemist.
Upon searching the flat, law enforcement uncovered a substantial amount of cocaine, various chemicals, and processing equipment. The following day, Lopez was arrested for suspected involvement in a cocaine supply conspiracy upon his return to the same location.
At Inner London Crown Court, Ramirez received a sentence of 13 years and six months for production and conspiracy to supply offenses, while Arias and Lopez were sentenced to eight years and six years and seven months, respectively. Another gang member, Jonny Delgado, 49, was convicted over drug-related activities and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Together, the group received a combined sentence of 44 years.
Detective Constable Matt Cooper of the City of London Police described the operation as highly dangerous and sophisticated, emphasizing the risks posed by the chemicals and equipment found. He highlighted the relentless efforts of experienced detectives in targeting serious criminals and disrupting drug networks, preventing Class A drugs from reaching the streets.
Additional gang members were previously convicted in November 2024 for their roles in the drug supply network, with Arjan Metliaj, 38, receiving a sentence of four years and eight months, and Alina Telecan, 32, sentenced to two years and four months.