Former UFC heavyweight Rob Broughton was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in the United Kingdom after being involved in a multimillion-dollar drug ring, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Former UFC Fighter Rob Broughton Headed To Prison For Role In European Drug Ring https://t.co/K6AhwloZW9
— Fightful MMA (@FightfulMMA) April 23, 2021
Broughton was arrested in connection with a team of brothers who ran a criminal ring named Alan and John Tobin, who supplied large amounts of drugs to various gangs throughout England. The drug ring’s main supply was cocaine, but also dealt cannabis, heroin, and ketamine.
Broughton served as the ring’s enforcer, transporting large amounts of cash, and also served as a debt collector. During his time as an enforcer, he moved an estimated £30 million pounds ($41 million US) while also assisting another team of brothers, Anthony and Leon Cullen, who were also in charge of an armed and dangerous gang in England.
The drug ring ran between 2016 and 2020 before police finally stopped a huge shipment of cocaine reportedly valued at around £20 million. While Broughton didn’t have any interaction with the drugs, he was used to settle unpaid debts. He also moved money around for the drug ring.
Broughton confessed to his role in the drug-running operation. Despite his attorney’s efforts to classify his crimes as money laundering, the judge disagreed.
Ultimately, Broughton was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison with Judge Garrett Byrne adding “I’ve no doubt you have a keen sense of letting your family down and I hope when you’re released you have their best interests uppermost in your mind.” (MMAfighting.com)
Broughton trained in Wolfslair where notable fighters Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Cheick Kongo once honed their craft. Between 2010 and 2011, he fought in the UFC, earning a 1-2 record overall with the company.
