Court heard that Archbold’s involvement escalated to high-level criminality, with the judge noting a risk-reward balance in his path into crime.

Archbold leveraged his supervisory role to ensure shipments passed undetected and reached the assigned lorries, as he moved from debt to active involvement.

A UPS supervisor nicknamed “King”, Zak Archbold, 30, has been jailed for 12 years for organizing cocaine imports into the UK via a Stanford-le-Hope depot, enabling about 290 kilograms of cocaine to be shipped from the Netherlands.

Investigations show the 290 kilos were smuggled through the Stanford-le-Hope depot in spring 2020, with drugs bought for about £2,000 per kilo and a total street value around £10 million.

Archbold helped move roughly 28 parcels, each containing up to 12kg, through the depot and was paid about £750 per kilo smuggled.

International cooperation across the UK, Spain, France, and the National Crime Agency led to extraditions and prosecutions, with three suspects still at large.

The case grew out of NCA investigations tied to Operation Venetic, following the EncroChat takedown in France and the Netherlands, with support from Spanish police.

Law enforcement collaboration among the UK, Spain, and France, including the NCA, was pivotal in exposing the network, securing extraditions, and bringing charges against Archbold.

EncroChat was a key source for the smuggling operation; both Archbold and Bullen were convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine, with Bullen additionally convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and produce amphetamine.

The gang used EncroChat for secure communications; Archbold, known as “King,” directed shipments from the depot, while Bullen coordinated operations from Spain and arranged for drugs to reach designated lorries.

Archbold was convicted on April 2, 2026, after a trial at the relevant court.

Archbold joined the scheme after falling into debt and then vigorously participated, while Bullen allegedly led the gang’s hierarchy and operations.