According to Kingston Crown Court, Kevin Smith, a former prison officer, developed a connection with gang boss David Johnson while Johnson was serving a sentence for drugs importation. Smith's transition to a job with Border Force enabled him to aid the crime group, culminating in an incident where he allowed drug smuggler Caprice Thompson to pass with 15 kilos of MDMA worth around £400,000 through his Border Force booth at Portsmouth port.

Following Smith's arrest by the National Crime Agency (NCA) Anti-Corruption Unit, a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police Service and Border Force led to the apprehension of multiple individuals involved in the drug trafficking scheme. Through extensive surveillance and investigative techniques, law enforcement officers were able to track the movements of the group members, intercept drug deliveries, and uncover the roles and activities of each individual within the network. The NCA's involvement was prompted by suspicions of internal corruption, eventually leading to the conviction of Johnson for importing class A drugs, as well as the sentencing of Baki and Thompson for related charges, with Smith being sentenced to two years in prison for misconduct in a public office.

The successful collaboration between the NCA, Met Police, and Border Force highlights the importance of tackling corruption within law enforcement agencies to prevent criminal organizations from exploiting insiders for their illegal activities. This operation serves as a reminder of the real threat posed by such corruption to public security and the concerted efforts required to dismantle drug trafficking networks and prevent the distribution of illicit substances on the streets.