Norwich: Drugs worth more than £1.5m found in King Street home

Erwin Axel Ritter-Cruz, 37, was found to have 11.359kg of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, with an estimated street value of around £1.5m.

It was in 13 bags found at the property in King Street, Norwich, where his two children stayed with him.

Norwich Crown Court heard the drugs had been imported from Mexico after being concealed within a boat reductor, a mechanical part located between the engine and gearbox which had to be opened with an angle-grinder to get to the drugs.

The discovery of the crystal meth was made in October last year after officials became suspicious about a consignment from Colombia "which purported" to contain a metallic cycling support.

It was in fact "hollowed out tubing" which contained almost 1kg of cocaine.

The drugs, which had a street value of between £76,000 and £92,000, were addressed to David Elron, who turned out to be Ritter-Cruz, at King Street, Norwich.

Ian James, prosecuting, said the consignment contents were substituted and a "dummy package" delivered to the address on October 19 last year.

Ritter-Cruz took delivery of the package, under the false name, at his home.

He was arrested and a search carried out of his property where 67.17g of cocaine was found as well as cutting agents and other drugs paraphernalia including scales and bags.

Weapons, including a machete, were also found as well as mobile phones a Mexican passport and receipts for £1,000 sent to Colombia prior to the consignment being received.

Also found were the 13 packages of crystal meth, a highly addictive class A drug, as well as other drugs paraphernalia and mobile phones.

The phones were interrogated and revealed contact with a Mexican number with messages, which had to be translated, showing Ritter-Cruz to be "a leading and pro-active participant in organising the importation".

Ritter-Cruz had been in contact with engineering companies to try and get "legitimate paperwork and give the semblance of respectability to the importation" of drugs.

A consignment was delivered on September 20 2022 to a business premises in a large, metal item, described as a "boat reductor".

Ritter-Cruz made contact with engineering firms as he was "seeking help in gaining access" to the inside of the reductor.

He had been in contact with Daniel Fordham since August 2022.

Fordham, 32, had been short of cash and was told to expect £15,000 for being involved in the operation and was motivated by "a desire for nice cars and holidays".

He initially accompanied Ritter-Cruz to collect the consignment but also helped take the boat reductor to Norwich and used an angle-grinder to gain access to it.

It was thought the total weight of importation of methamphetamine was a total of about 19kg.

Phone messages revealed there had been someone from Belgium who said they would take all of it.

Other messages on Ritter-Cruz's phone showed other outlets were discussed, including Amsterdam, London, Cambridge and the Midlands.

Ritter-Cruz, of King Street, Norwich, appeared at court on Thursday (May 25) to be sentenced having previously admitted importation of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of crystal meth with intent to supply and importation of crystal meth.

Fordham, of Saxon Way, Fakenham, also appeared at court having admitted conspiracy to supply crystal meth.

Sentencing Ritter-Cruz to 16 years in prison and Fordham to 10 years, Judge Andrew Shaw said it was "some of the most serious organised crime that this court has witnessed".

Judge Shaw said it "has an international element to it" and was a case in which "millions of pounds worth of drugs were imported".

John Morgans appeared on behalf of Ritter-Cruz who he said had a significant rather than leading role.

Andrew Oliver appeared on behalf of Fordham, said his client had a lesser role and was "quickly out of his depth."