Couple behind bars after being caught in Luton with kilos of cocaine and cash

Haydar Miah was arrested in Luton in May 2025. Officers seized more than 2kg of cocaine, along with cannabis, ecstasy, Xanax and ketamine. Police also found £33,000 in cash.

Mobile phones belonging to the 28-year-old revealed he was involved in a plot to import 50kg of cocaine into the UK each month, from Brazil via Portugal.

His girlfriend, Mengali Freitas, 32, was also arrested for her role in the drug ring.

Phone records found that Freitas had introduced Miah to a contact to discuss importing drugs into the UK. She initially stepped back from a leading role, but continued to act as a translator between Miah and overseas contacts under the WhatsApp names ‘WalterWhite’ and ‘Ghost’.

Miah, of Aerodrome Road, London, was jailed for 17 years after admitting to multiple offences, including possession with intent to supply cocaine, and being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a Class A drug (cocaine).

Freitas, also of Aerodrome Road, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. Both were jailed at Southwark Crown Court.

Officer Neville Drummond said: “The length of these sentences reflects the severity of Miah’s actions and the extent of his involvement in serious and organised crime, including plans to bring significant quantities of drugs into the UK.

“Freitas’ role in the network was clear. While she described herself as a translator, she was instrumental in facilitating communication between Miah and his overseas contacts. This demonstrates the lengths we will go to in targeting all those involved in organised crime.

“Drugs are at the heart of much of the violence and exploitation we see in the county. By bringing offenders like Miah and Freitas to justice, we are making Bedfordshire safer and protecting people from harm.”