Watch as cops use ‘genius’ trick to take down Mexican ‘Breaking Bad’ drug cartel & seize £1.5m worth of crystal meth
A POLICE force used a “genius” trick to take down a Mexican drug cartel infiltrating the UK with crystal meth.
The ingenious ploy featured in the latest episode of Channel 4‘s 24 Hours in Police Custody.
Viewers followed investigations into the dealing of crystal meth and cocaine across the eastern region.
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) was seen uncovering a major operation.
The bust led to the seizure of drugs worth more than £1.5million over the border in Norfolk.
Detectives found drugs hidden in secret compartments in equipment being shipped into the UK.
Cops realised they had the potential to break an international South American cartel by exploiting their discovery.
The episode showed how the force seized a package from Colombia at Stansted Airport.
Almost 1kg of cocaine had been stuffed into a boat part with a wholesale value of £30,000.
Detectives replaced the stash with dummy drugs and allowed the fake cargo to be delivered to its final destination.
The trap led them to a luxury property in Norwich where they found tattoo artist Axel Ritter Cruz.
A search of the 39-year-old’s plush pad revealed a large quantity of a substance that resembled shards of glass and had a chemical smell.
Forensic analysis confirmed the 13 clear bags contained methyl-amphetamine weighing just over 11 kilograms in total.
According to police, the crystal meth in his home was estimated to be worth £1.2million.
An officer exclaimed: “It looks like it’s from Breaking Bad.”
In a police interview, Cruz said: “To be honest I woke up to a guy knocking at my door, he was standing there with a box.
“I was half asleep and I accepted it, took it in, I don’t know, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to open it.”
He added: “I had no clue about that. I’ve never seen that in my life. I would have chucked that in the f***ing river.”
Cruz, of Norwich, was jailed for 16 years in May 2023.
He admitted importation of cocaine and methyl-amphetamine, and possession with intent to supply both substances.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Birch, from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), said: “Crystal meth is an incredibly dangerous and addictive substance.
“It’s vital that it doesn’t make its way into our communities, and we’re committed to targeting those looking to profit from the misery of others by selling such perilous substances.”
24 Hours in Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel is available to stream now on Channel 4.