EXCLUSIVE: Drug kingpin, 65, who smuggled £34million of cocaine into UK by hiding it in boxes of pineapples dies in jail after testing positive for Covid
East End crook Frederick Colverson was jailed for 25 years after he was snared in Suffolk's biggest ever drugs haul
A drugs lord who masterminded a bid to swamp the UK with £34million of cocaine hidden in pineapples has died in jail.
Frederick Colverson, 65, was serving a 25-year sentence when he passed away in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
He had been suffering from breathing difficulties linked to health issues when he died on December 21.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'HMP Coldingley prisoner Frederick Colverson died in hospital on 21 December.
'The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.'
Colverson had been caged at Cat C HMP Coldingley in Bisley, Surrey, where he developed breathing difficulties.
He was transferred to Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, a number of months ago.
The drug dealer tested positive for coronavirus in hospital.
Colverson had been caged at Cat C HMP Coldingley in Bisley, Surrey, where he developed breathing difficulties. He was transferred to Frimley Park Hospital , Surrey
Colverson, of Tower Hamlets, London, was found guilty in 2012 at Ipswich Crown Court of conspiring to supply class A drugs.
He was arrested in October 2011 along with Terrance Smith, of Thetford, Norfolk, after the drugs bust in Brandon, Suffolk.
Cops swooped on an industrial unit after an investigation into drug importation through Felixstowe docks.
HMP Coldingley, a Category C training prison in Bisley, Surrey. He had been suffering from breathing difficulties linked to health issues when he died on December 21
The industrial estate unit in Brandon, Suffolk, where police found the consignment of pineapples containing hidden cocaine worth £34million
They found 174 kilos of high grade cocaine hidden in pineapple boxes.
In 2015, Colverson was ordered to pay £400,000 after a proceeds of crime confiscation hearing.
Prosecutor Michael Crimp said the benefit from Colverson's crime was £2,618,594.
His realisable assets were £407,683.
In 2017, a judge ordered Colverson, who is Jewish, to pay back over £4,500 he was awarded in damages after prison authorities did not give him kosher food.
The Ministry of Justice made the settlement after Colverson, who suffers from colitis and has had half his liver removed, spent time in the prison hospital as a result of his dietary requirements not being met.
Smith, now 67, admitted conspiring to supply class A drugs and was jailed for 20 years.