Cartel-linked UK gangster’s explanation for loss of life revealed after discovered lifeless in Dubai

Spencer Benjamin was jailed for 10 years for his role in an international drug conspiracy after he was suspected of being the Cali Cartel’s man in Liverpool. An inquest has now confirmed his drug-related death

View 2 Images

A former drug trafficker who served as the notorious Cali Cartel’s representative in Liverpool has been discovered dead at his upmarket Dubai villa. Spencer Benjamin received a 10-year prison sentence for his part in a global drug conspiracy after undercover officers witnessed him meeting a contact at a Pizza Hut in central London.

His associate at that meeting was Venezuelan drug baron Ivan di Giorgio, who was reportedly operating on behalf of the dreaded Cali Cartel – the Colombian criminal organisation that dominated over 80% of the world’s cocaine trade throughout the mid-1990s. A senior detective who spearheaded the investigation described Benjamin as the “organiser for the Liverpool end of the operation”.

Benjamin, previously of Solway Street West in Toxteth, was discovered dead in his room at the Arabian Ranches, an exclusive gated community in Dubai, on February 2, 2026. The 54-year-old is believed to have resided in the country for several years following his departure from Liverpool.

During his inquest at Liverpool Coroners’ Court today (Tuesday, March 3), coroner Helen Rimmer stated: “His friend attended the address in which he was found as his nephew had been unable to make contact with him. He had last seen him safe and well the day before.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings

“He was found in the front room unresponsive on the couch with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAT) machine still attached to his face. Emergency services were called and on arrival he was confirmed deceased.”

A post-mortem examination revealed no signs of foul play. Cocaine and ketamine were detected in his bloodstream, indicating Benjamin had consumed the substances before his death “at levels capable of affecting vital body functions”.

The inquest was told Benjamin battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a degenerative, incurable lung condition causing breathing problems, which had played a role in his death, reports the Liverpool Echo.

A pathologist determined the cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest, coupled with cocaine and ketamine consumption and COPD.

Ms Rimmer stated: “Cocaine is a stimulant drug which is particularly dangerous in individuals whose lungs are already compromised as was the case with Spencer Benjamin.

“He had taken cocaine and ketamine which led to respiratory depression and death, his prior existing lung disease contributing more than minimally to his death.

“Given the consumption of drugs and the effects that that had on his respiratory system, it will be a conclusion of a drug-related death.”

Benjamin was being monitored by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in 1999 when he was observed meeting di Giorgio. During one encounter Benjamin was spotted passing a satchel to the South American, whilst at a second pizza restaurant rendezvous a Wade Smith bag was handed to di Giorgio.

Police suspected money was being passed over in exchange for narcotics. When officers eventually swooped on di Giorgio’s London residence, he leapt from a first floor window in a desperate bid to flee.

When he turned up at court he required a walking frame.

Benjamin disappeared from view but covert officers watched him splash thousands of pounds fitting out a flat above a Lodge Lane shop as a “safe house”. When detained he told officers: “I’m innocent. I have got no involvement in drugs and I am not saying any more. I have no involvement in anything.”

Benjamin insisted he was genuinely employed as an “area manager” but the court heard that he was the Liverpool end of an international drugs chain. He resided in a £120,000 property on a new estate in Halewood, took holidays in Mexico and sported a £10k Rolex Ebel timepiece.

His jobless girlfriend drove around Liverpool in a Honda Jeep.

Detective Superintendent John Kerruish, of Merseyside’s major crime unit which coordinated the investigation, said at the time: “The problem that we faced was that at this stage we had not fully identified exactly who di Giorgio was but it was becoming apparent that he was working for the Cali Cartel.

“As far as we are concerned, Benjamin was the organiser for the Liverpool end of the operation. We regard his conviction along with that of di Giorgio’s as particularly significant in the ongoing fight to stem the tide of class ‘A’ drugs coming into Merseyside.”

The Cali Cartel was established in the mid-1970s and had severed ties with Pablo Escobar and his Medellin cohorts by 1988. The syndicate was a multi-billion pound empire and ranked among the most formidable criminal brotherhoods globally.

Its unlawful operations gained worldwide recognition following the popular Netflix series “Narcos”.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.