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Chloe Sandoval (22) was a member of gang of would-be drug smugglers who believed they were about to make easy money
Chloe Sandoval (22) was a member of gang of would-be drug smugglers who believed they were about to make easy money when they arrived at Manchester Airport to pick up the drugs concealed in suitcases.
The five women and two men were recruited by crime bosses and paid to fly from the US to Manchester where they were ordered to hide in the airport toilet before picking up 12 bags stuffed with cocaine.
A court had earlier heard how they had each been promised “considerable” payments for their roles in the plot.
But the operation unravelled when an alert was triggered after one of the suitcases, which had arrived from Cancun in Mexico, was put through an X-ray machine.
Top row, left to right: Brian Marealle, Laquesa Greer and Brianna Hunt. Bottom row, left to right: Yulibeth Gonzalez, Leandra Royer and Charles Mass. Photo: Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
Three of them were immediately arrested at the scene while another four were apprehended at the nearby DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. Two were found naked in bed when officers burst through the door.
Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, Sandoval has become the seventh member of the gang who have all been jailed for their part in the smuggling operation
Sandoval had flown into Manchester from LA via Dusseldorf with two other members of the gang, Yulibeth Gonzalez and model Leandra Royer.
Prosecutor Matthew Conway told Manchester Crown Court they were being guided by leaders of the gang known as ‘Nate’ and ‘Cruz’.
The police investigation revealed how Sandoval sent a panicked message to Nate after she had landed saying: “There’s an officer… they grabbing bags.”
She added: “Sorry I want to get out of here as soon as possible cause they definitely on y’all case.”
When ‘Nate’ told her to “walk out”, she replied: “You sure? I only have one.”
The prosecutor said this showed the plan was to acquire more than one suitcase.
Sandoval also messaged Royer once she had made it out of the airport, referring to the arrest of Gonzalez.
She write: “Shawty got caught up and me and you been the two travelling w(ith) her and I grabbed a bag. And walked out and they got that s**t on camera.
“I’m not tryna go through that airport again… good thing we didn’t agree to grab 3 f***ing bags.”
She dropped off the one suitcase having travelled to an address in Bury and before returning to the DoubleTree hotel at Manchester Airport where she was arrested.
Mr Conway had argued that the defendant who was said to have been suffering financial difficulties in the US, had played a “significant role” in the operation.
She also had one previous conviction of possession of cannabis in America.
In defending her client, Rebecca Filletti, told the court she was “extremely remorseful”.
She also showed the judge pieces of art she had completed while on remand, as well as referring to “bible study notes” her client had penned to show she had been attempting using her time inside productively.
The lawyer also said Sandoval’s ambition was to write books and had written songs while behind bars with “hopes to have a record deal” in the future.
Ms Felletti said her client who had come out of a “bad relationship” was “extremely vulnerable” but was working to ensure “she never comes before this court again,”
In sentencing, Judge Tom Gilbart said the defendant had been “acting with others under supervision” and did so “because you wished to make money”.
“You knew you were doing something obviously illegal with the chance of earning a reward you are now paying the price for pursuing money in that way,” the judge said.
The judge referred to bereavements the defendant had suffered and mental health difficulties, adding: “It’s clear you have talents better employed than engaged in criminality of this type.”
Sandoval had been “taken advantage of by more sophisticated criminals”, said Judge Gilbart, although she had agreed to take part in the operation with her eyes “wide open”.
He handed Sandoval four years in prison after she admitted evading the prohibition of the importation of a Class A controlled drug.
She was told she would serve at least half the sentence in prison before being released in licence when it is likely she will be deported back to America.
Others who were sentenced earlier this month are: Brian Marealle, 32, was sentenced to eight years; Charles Mass, 29, and Leandra Royer, 26, were each sentenced to 11 years and eight months; Yulibeth Gonzalez, 26, was sentenced to nine years; Brianna Hunt, 22, was handed seven years and six months; Laquesa Greer, 50, was jailed for eight years and six months.
Each pleaded guilty to evading the prohibition of the importation of a Class A controlled drug.
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