Chloe Sandoval jailed in £8m cocaine smuggling plot. She sent panicked messages as the gang was arrested at Manchester Airport.
Chloe Sandoval is the latest person sentenced for participating in trafficking cocaine. The group smuggled high-purity cocaine into the UK using suitcases. Crime bosses recruited five women and two men for this operation.
The bosses paid them to fly from the US to Manchester. They were to hide in the airport toilets and then pick up twelve bags of cocaine. X-rays spotted blocks in the suitcases, which had arrived from Cancun, Mexico.
Authorities arrested three people on the spot and detained four others at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, located opposite the airport. Six people were jailed earlier this month. Now, Sandoval, age 22, is also imprisoned.
Sandoval flew from Los Angeles via Dusseldorf with Yulibeth Gonzalez and Leandra Royer. The group contacted ‘Nate’ and ‘Cruz’, the gang leaders, according to the Manchester Evening News.
After landing, Sandoval texted ‘Nate’ that officers were grabbing bags and she wanted to leave quickly, thinking the police were on their case. ‘Nate’ told her to walk out. Sandoval asked if he was sure, stating she only had one bag. Prosecutors said that her plan was to get more.
Sandoval messaged Royer after leaving the airport, saying Gonzalez had been arrested. Sandoval said she grabbed one bag and left, adding that it was on camera, and she was glad they did not agree to grab three bags. She took the suitcase to an address in Bury, then went back to the DoubleTree hotel where police arrested her.
Sandoval had financial problems in the US and a prior cannabis possession conviction. Her lawyer said Sandoval was very sorry and showed the judge Sandoval’s artwork. She aimed to demonstrate that she was using her time well, also mentioning Sandoval’s Bible study and her client’s hopes to write books and songs.
The lawyer stated Sandoval wanted a record deal, saying her client left a bad relationship and saw this as a money-making opportunity. She wants to show she has improved and ensure she doesn’t return to court. The judge said she acted under supervision and wanted to make money, knowing it was illegal, and now must pay for her choices.
The judge mentioned her mental health issues, adding that her talents were better used elsewhere. He sentenced Sandoval to four years in prison. She admitted to evading importing a Class A drug. She must serve half her time in prison, and after release, she will likely be deported.
Others sentenced include Brian Marealle, age 32, eight years; Charles Mass, age 29, 11 years and eight months; Leandra Royer, age 26, 11 years and eight months; Yulibeth Gonzalez, age 26, nine years. Brianna Hunt, age 22, was handed seven and a half years; and Laquesa Greer, age 50, was jailed for eight and a half years. They all pleaded guilty to drug importation.