A notorious drug kingpin has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for masterminding a lucrative cocaine and heroin operation across Nottingham while living in luxury in Thailand. Vejay Samuels, 30, avoided capture for eight months, running his drug empire from abroad with the help of his money-laundering girlfriend, Hannah Cwynar, 33.
Samuels and Cwynar flaunted their wealth, investing in expensive properties and indulging in extravagant activities reported by authorities, including speedboat rides and swimming with elephants during their stay in Thailand. Despite his physical distance, Samuels maintained control of a sophisticated drug distribution network that flooded Nottingham’s streets with Class A and B substances from August 2022 to November 2023.
The gang operated two dedicated phone lines to coordinate the sale of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, sourcing drugs from Yorkshire and supplying them across the city. Samuels covertly accessed the profits through bank accounts belonging to Cwynar and his ex-girlfriend, Charlotte Franklyn, 30.
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His arrest came on his birthday in January 2023 after a thorough police investigation identified key members of his gang. Alongside Samuels, several associates including Andrew Mitchell, Jake Worrall, and Joseph Gavin received lengthy prison sentences totaling 84 years combined. Cwynar and Franklyn were handed suspended sentences for money laundering with unpaid work requirements.
The gang’s downfall began after police stopped a vehicle in April 2023 carrying drugs and discovered critical evidence linking the operation. Numerous raids and investigations followed, uncovering bulk quantities of drugs and extensive criminal involvement.
Detective Constable Emma Grimley emphasized the group’s significant role in drug distribution and their luxurious lifestyle funded by criminal profits. Detective Constable Steve Fenyn highlighted the challenge of proving Samuels' involvement from abroad and celebrated the collective effort to disrupt the gang’s activities.
Samuels' conviction marks a significant victory for Nottinghamshire Police in their ongoing battle against organized crime, bringing several dangerous criminals off the streets to make the city safer.