Story perspectives

Polish driver sentenced to 13½ years for £7 M Skims cocaine smuggle

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Polish lorry driver Jakub Jan Konkel received a 13½-year prison term at Chelmsford Crown Court for smuggling £7 million of cocaine.
The cocaine was hidden inside a legitimate shipment of Kim Kardashian’s Skims underwear and clothing.
Investigators found a custom rear-door compartment holding 90 kg of cocaine in one-kilogram packages.
NCA operations manager Paul Orchard said the seizure removed a large cocaine quantity and the profit for the crime group.

History

Historical Context

After the 2004 Northern Bank robbery that stole £26.5 million and the 2005 Metropolitan Police raid called Operation Crevice—targeting Al-Muhajiroun members and seizing 1,300 lb of fertilizer—the UK’s National Crime Agency seized 1,500 kg of cocaine in a major 2005 bust, highlighting the threat of sophisticated smuggling networks exploiting legitimate supply chains across Europe.

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Story summary

Polish lorry driver Jakub Jan Konkel received a 13½-year prison term at Chelmsford Crown Court for smuggling £7 million of cocaine.
The cocaine was hidden inside a legitimate shipment of Kim Kardashian’s Skims underwear and clothing.
Investigators found a custom rear-door compartment holding 90 kg of cocaine in one-kilogram packages.
NCA operations manager Paul Orchard said the seizure removed a large cocaine quantity and the profit for the crime group.

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