The final member of an international drug smuggling ring responsible for importing tens of millions pounds worth of heroin and cocaine into the UK has been jailed.

Nadir Bouchelkia, of Tenby Road in Walthamstow, was sentenced to 17 years behind bars at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday (March 6).

The 47-year-old admitted conspiracy to supply heroin.

Bouchelkia was caught mixing quantities of heroin at a safe house after a complex investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Central Task Force, codenamed Operation Ninjask.

Sami Qerkini, the head of an Albanian organised criminal group for over 20 years, developed an extensive network of associates to source, import and supply drugs in the UK and convey the proceeds of his business abroad.

He was jailed for 22 years.

Bouchelkia was arrested on September 12, 2013 after police caught one of the gang leaving an address in Tenby Road, Walthamstow, with 1kg of heroin stashed in two boxes marked ‘cookies’ and ‘smooth expresso’.

Police entered the property and found Bouchelkia with Qerkini mixing heroin powder.

They were both arrested and along with their associates, subsequently charged.

Fifteen co-conspirators were previously jailed for a total of 157 years for their part in the conspiracy, which saw in excess of £40million worth of Class A drugs smuggled in from mainland Europe before being sold on throughout London, the south east and south coast of England.

Detective Inspector Nick Blackburn, of the Met's Central Task Force, said: "This outstanding result reflects the professionalism and dedication of a specialist team of detectives who have achieved significant sentences for those concerned.

“The Organised Crime Group has been fully dismantled from importation level to street-level distributors. This is indicative of the Met's Total War on Organised Crime and should send out a strong message to those currently engaged in such activity."

Sami Qerkini, 50, of Brook Avenue, Edgware was sentenced to 22 years at Kingston Crown Court on November 19, 2014 for conspiracy to supply heroin.