$46 Million in Amphetamine Seized, $1.4 Million Confiscated, and 163 Years in Prison for Traffickers

Drug Traffickers Brought Down by a Photo of a French Bulldog

A photo of a French Bulldog led to the downfall of a drug trafficking ring, resulting in a hefty fine of over $1.4 million. The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom announced the confiscation order against Stefan Baldauf, 64, and Philip Lawson, 63, who were part of a group smuggling drugs from the UK to Australia.

The operation, known as Operation Venetic, led to the arrest of Baldauf and Lawson in 2020. The group had attempted to smuggle 448kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated $46 million, hidden within an excavator arm. They even rigged an auction to ensure the drugs reached their intended recipient.

The amphetamine, initially described as MDMA by investigators, was stored in heavy equipment at an industrial unit in Grays, Essex, before being shipped to Australia. The journey took nearly three months, with the drugs finally arriving in Brisbane.

However, the elaborate scheme unraveled when fellow trafficker Danny Brown sent a photo of his French Bulldog, Bob, to Baldauf. This seemingly innocuous photo, with his partner's phone number on the dog's tag, provided investigators with a crucial lead. Using this information and other investigative methods, the NCA was able to identify and dismantle the criminal organization.

"These criminals did not care about the misery and exploitation that the supply of illegal drugs bring to UK and Australian communities," stated Chris Hill, who led the NCA investigation.

Baldauf, Brown, Lawson, and four other individuals in the UK received a combined sentence of 163 years. The remaining members of the group will face a confiscation hearing later this year.