An international drug trafficker who imported around 1,000kg of cocaine into the UK and handled more than £7.3 million in criminal cash has been jailed for 20 years.
Stephane Hassiakos was identified by detectives as a key figure in a major organised crime network responsible for importing and distributing cocaine across the UK, particularly in the East Midlands.
Investigators from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) linked Hassiakos to the operation after analysing messages and images recovered from the encrypted communications platform EncroChat. The evidence showed him coordinating drug shipments and communicating with other senior criminals.
Hassiakos was arrested in Spain in July 2025 following a lengthy investigation and was extradited to the UK in January 2026, where he was arrested upon arriving at Heathrow Airport.
The investigation found he had been directing the operation from Greece, organising the movement of cocaine from South America through the Netherlands before it was transported into the UK using heavy goods vehicles.
Over an eight-month period between October 2019 and June 2020, Hassiakos was found to be responsible for importing around one tonne of cocaine and moving £7.3 million in criminal proceeds.
Police also linked him to a 9kg cocaine seizure in Leicestershire in May 2020 through messages recovered from EncroChat.
In one exchange, Hassiakos claimed he was working seven days a week during the COVID-19 lockdown and boasted of having 12 cars and two trucks operating within his network, alongside established cocaine suppliers in the Netherlands.
Detective Sergeant Chris Sewell, of EMSOU’s Serious Organised Crime Team, described the conviction as a significant result, saying Hassiakos had been operating at the highest levels of organised crime and was responsible for supplying vast quantities of Class A drugs into the UK.
Faced with the extensive evidence gathered by investigators, Hassiakos admitted the offences.
In addition to his 20-year prison sentence, he will be subject to a five-year travel restriction order after his release, preventing him from leaving the UK.
Police have also confirmed they will begin confiscation proceedings to recover money made through his criminal activities.
