The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Gangster had guns and drugs:
Gang was dealing drugs across Peterborough
A leading member of a Polish drugs gang has been jailed after an arsenal of weapons was found in his flat.
Wojciech Sztulc (36) was found with thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs at his home in Forrest Drive in Hempsted, Peterborough, along with four handguns, a stun gun, ammunition and silencers for the weapons.
He lived the life of luxury, with high end cars and a jet ski at his home.
But police were able to bring him to justice after a detailed surveillance operation.
He appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday where he was jailed for 14-anda-half years after admitting a string of offences. The court was also told he was wanted in his native Poland.
Sztulc was caught in Peterborough selling liquid amphetamine valued at up to £121,000 and also had more than 1.5kg of cocaine in his flat. Police found £28,000 in cash in his car boot, and the weapons in a drain under toys.
Sarah Parker, prosecuting, said the Polish organised crime gang had a ‘monopoly’ in Peterborough for dealing in whatever drugs were available, with secondhand car salesman Sztulc playing a ‘leading role.’
She said: “He lived a lavish, cash-rich lifestyle.”
The court heard surveillance operations focused on a number of vehicles, including Sztulc’s white VW Toureg, which was seen on May 9 in Peterborough, first meeting with a BMW, and then with a Lexus.
The Lexus was stopped by police, and 1,960ml of liquid amphetamine was found, with a 74 per cent purity. Miss Parker said the drugs were valued at between £40,000 and £120,000.
He was arrested when police raided his home on August 13.
Miss Parker said; “It is a substantial property, covered in CCTV, and with high end cars in the garage, including a Mercedes and a Maserati, along with a jet ski and the VW Toureg.
“In the boot of the VW police found £28,000 in cash, and a number of identity documents, made out in different
names, all with Sztulc’s photo on.
They also found more than 1.5 kilos of import-quality cocaine, with a purity of between 74 and 82 per cent.”
Further searches led police to a drain cover hidden under children’s toys, where weapons and ammunition were found.
Two Makarov self-loading pistols, with magazines, were uncovered, along with a pistol, a revolver, a stun gun, a silencer and ammunition.
When he was arrested, he answered ‘no comment’ in interview.
He later pleaded guilty to 12 offences.
Nneka Akudolu, defending, said Sztulc had been running a legitimate car sales business, and any prison sentence would impact his wife and two young sons.
But Judge Matthew Lowe, sentencing, said Sztulc had been greedy.
He said: “You were, for a period of time, at the heart of an organised crime group. A group which not only supplied class A drugs, but also in the provision of weapons - lethal weapons.
“One only has to look at the quantity of drugs seized in this case, and the number of firearms seized, to see this was a very serious and sophisticated criminal enterprise.”
He added: “You ran what appears to have been a legitimate business. But you were greedy, and not content with your income and your wife’s income, you become involved in very serious criminality so you could further line your pockets.”
A proceeds of crime hearing will take place in August, while the Polish authorities will also look at what action to take once the case has been concluded.