Michael Michael

Michael Michael (born 12 November 1957 in Birmingham)[1] is the ex-boss of a criminal empire called the Organisation which was involved in drug smuggling, prostitution and money laundering. Following arrest, he turned supergrass/police informer, with his evidence leading to 34 people being jailed for a combined 170 years, and the dismantling of 26 different drug syndicates.[2]

Among people he informed on were his wife Lynn, given a 24-month prison sentence suspended for two years for her role as a cash courier; his lover, Sue Richards; and Janice Marlborough, his business lieutenant who ran his string of brothels. Michael's evidence led to drugs worth £49m being recovered from a distribution network that is thought to have smuggled more than 110 kg (250lb) of cocaine and 19 tonnes of cannabis into Britain.[2][3]

Information about Michael's work as an informer was kept secret until December 2001, when a judge at Woolwich crown court sentenced him to six years in jail. Reporting restrictions that had been in place for three years were lifted.[2][3] Michael had admitted one count of conspiracy to import cocaine, a similar charge involving cannabis, and three conspiracies to launder the proceeds. He has also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm.[2] Michael, who lived in Radlett, Hertfordshire, is thought to have been given a new identity under the terms of the witness protection programme.[2]

Born into a Greek-Cypriot family Michael's birth name was Constantine Michael Michael, but he decided to drop the use of the forename Constantine in adulthood.