Black taxi driver one of six men sentenced for role in major City of London cocaine supply line
- Perry Richardson
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
A London black cab driver has been jailed for using his taxi to deliver cocaine across the City in what has been described as the longest-running and most extensive drug supply operation in the Square Mile.
Michael Redgrave, 56, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after admitting his role in the supply of Class A drugs. Redgrave was part of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) that operated the “City Gear” or “Top Gear” drugs line, delivering cocaine to thousands of customers between March 2022 and October 2023.
The OCG, headed by 57-year-old Nathan Samuels, relied on a group of couriers to carry out the day-to-day distribution of the drugs. Redgrave’s use of a black taxi allowed him to move across the City with reduced suspicion, earning £300 a day as part of the operation.
Detectives from the City of London Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team dismantled the group following a detailed investigation. Officers uncovered phone evidence and ledgers recording sales and courier activity, revealing the scale of the enterprise. In just one week, the group sold 410 wraps of cocaine worth nearly £15,000.
The ledgers identified Redgrave by the code name “CAB”, and set out the rota for deliveries. Another courier, Aaron Bretao, was recorded as “CAR”. The operation used WhatsApp to advertise drugs with a logo mimicking motoring show Top Gear.
Redgrave was one of six men sentenced at Inner London Crown Court. The group’s leader, Nathan Samuels, received nine years in prison. In total, the gang was sentenced to 24 years and six months.
The City of London Police said the team responsible for the investigation remains focused on dismantling networks involved in drug supply, people trafficking and financial crime in the area.
Lead Detective Constable Matt Cooper, from the Serious Organised Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This was a serious and sophisticated drug supply operation which would have resulted in large quantities of cocaine being sold over an extended period of time. This was one of the longest running and biggest cocaine lines in the City of London.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and tackle serious and organised crime groups and these sentences demonstrate our commitment to putting criminals involved in drug lines and drug supply behind bars.
“We hope that this sends out a clear message to those involved in the illegal drugs trade, as well as a reassurance to members of the public, that we will take action against those criminals and bring them to justice.”
