A truck driver has been sentenced to prison for smuggling £7 million worth of cocaine concealed in a shipment of Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand. Jakub Jan Konkel, aged 40, was transporting 28 pallets of genuine Skims clothing from the Netherlands when authorities at an Essex port intercepted him in September. The National Crime Agency revealed that Konkel had made a stop to pick up 90 kilograms of cocaine, which he hid in 1kg packages in a secret compartment near the rear doors of the truck. Border Force officials discovered 90 packages valued at around £7.2 million.
During questioning by investigators, Konkel failed to disclose a 16-minute stop recorded on his tachograph, believed to be the loading point for the drugs onto the vehicle.
The clothing shipment was legitimate, and both the exporter and importer were unaware of the illicit cargo. Konkel, hailing from Kartuzy in northern Poland, admitted to agreeing to transport the drugs for a payment of 4,500 euros (£3,900). He received a 13-year jail term for drug trafficking at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Paul Orchard, an operations manager at the NCA, stated, “Organized crime syndicates utilize corrupt drivers like Konkel to transport Class A drugs, often concealing them within entirely legal shipments like this one.
“The successful detection and investigation have thwarted a substantial quantity of cocaine, depriving the crime group behind the smuggling attempt of its profits. With Konkel’s apprehension, they have lost a crucial facilitator.
“The NCA collaborates with domestic and international partners to safeguard the public against the menace of Class A drugs, which are central to a significant amount of criminal activity and suffering within UK communities.”
Jason Thorn, Assistant Director at Border Force, remarked, “These illicit substances devastate lives and bring suffering to our communities. This substantial interception underscores the exceptional efforts of Border Force, depriving criminal networks of substantial profits.
“We are committed to tirelessly combatting criminal activities, securing our borders, and preventing these dangerous drugs from infiltrating our streets.”
Skims, co-founded in June 2019 by Kim Kardashian, Jens Grede, and Emma Grede, champions body positivity and inclusivity in their clothing line.
Prior to launching the Skims brand, Kardashian drew inspiration from her own practice of altering garments, having designed ‘shapewear’ for 15 years.
In March 2022, Skims earned a spot on TIME’s List of 100 Most Influential Companies for its remarkable success. In October 2023, Skims announced its foray into men’s fashion.
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