Man rumbled after multi-million-pound cocaine stash found hidden in piano

On Monday 6 November, Francesco Role was stopped in his van by Border Force officials at Newhaven Port, East Sussex. He was returning from Normandy.

At first glance, everything appeared normal for your average man with a van offering removal services. There was a bed, two chairs, a cupboard unit, and several cardboard boxes. However, further examination revealed a piano hidden under a blanket.

Authorities noticed it was heavy – even for a piano, and it was clear that it had been tampered with.

Upon opening the piano, police found 89 wrapped blocks of high purity cocaine, estimated to be worth around £4.2 million.

Role was swiftly arrested, and this information was passed over to specialist detectives in our Serious Organised Crime Group, whose role it is to investigate Greater Manchester’s most serious offenders and disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks.

An investigation was launched, and it soon became clear that Role was using a variety of fake delivery addresses across the UK. He initially tried to claim that he was a legitimate businessman. However, when faced with the evidence, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and the fraudulent evasion of the provision of the importation of class A drugs.

Today, (Friday 12 April) Francesco Role (04/02/1979) of Dean Road, Irlam, has been jailed for 13 years and six months.

Detective Inspector James Coles from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “We know that criminals are adapting their methods to evade law enforcement, which is why it is imperative that we continue to use all resources available to evolve with them and stay one step ahead.

“Had Role been successful in bringing £4 million worth of cocaine into the UK it would have had devastating effects to our communities. His arrest and long custodial sentence will undoubtedly disrupt the drugs trade and local dealers who were reliant on his shipments.

“Working with Border Force and partners across the UK and abroad, we are targeting drug traffickers, and this should be a stark warning to others who attempt to bring drugs into the UK.”