Decorated fireman jailed for role in drug syndicate

A fireman commended for his bravery in aiding victims of the 7/7 London bombings has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a cocaine smuggling syndicate. The 33-strong gang, who been making £100m a year, received a total of 200 years in jail following a Hollywood-style police operation against them three years ago.

During more than 30 simultaneous dawn raids involving 520 police officers, Simon Ford, 41, was caught dividing out drugs for deliveries after police raided his flat in Surrey three years ago. Meanwhile in west London officers used a JCB to plough through the perimeter wall of a fortified house belonging to one of the ringleaders, which they then broke into using angle grinders and sledgehammers.