Former MMA champion sentenced to 24 years in jail: Find out about Darren Towler's fall from grace 

Darren Towler, a former MMA champion who participated in a drug trafficking organization responsible for the illegal smuggling of millions of dollars worth of drugs, has been imprisoned. The MMA fighter hasn't competed since 2017 and infamously went on the run before his trial last year. He is now the subject of the proceeds of a criminal investigation.

A spokesman for Durham Police revealed that Darren Towler, a resident of Consett in County Durham, was the mastermind behind the whole operation.

An undercover operation led to the seizure of almost £100,000 in cash packed in shoe boxes disguised as birthday presents. They were found in the trunk of a detained vehicle at Barnard Castle.

According to Durham Police, the gang was exchanging hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs. A spokesperson stated that the group smuggled cocaine, amphetamine, and cannabis into County Durham from Liverpool and distributed it around the region. In 2017, investigators discovered over ten trips between the North East and North West over the course of five months that were traced back to the drug trafficking case.

The jury found Darren Towler guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and amphetamines, and he admitted guilt on a similar cannabis charge. The former MMA fighter failed to appear in court and was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Eleven other defendants were sentenced for their involvement in drug smuggling at Teesside Crown Court.

During the trial, his half-brother Jonathan Kitson pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute Class A narcotics as well as a separate cannabis-related allegation. He received a sentence of 9 years and 11 months in prison.

Jodie Smith, Towler's partner, also pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute Class A narcotics. He received a six-year and six-month prison sentence. Additionally, Darren Towler's sister, Anita, pled guilty to the same charge. She was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

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What is Darren Towler's MMA record?

Darren Towler was an English MMA fighter who competed across various organizations in the European MMA circuit.

In 2011, he won the vacant Ultimate Challenge Mixed Martial Arts (UCMMA) heavyweight title after defeating Ben Smith. Towler won the bout via TKO (doctor stoppage).

Between August 2011 and October 2012, Towler went undefeated in five MMA bouts, all of which came by finishes. His professional MMA record stands at 10 victories and 8 losses in 18 bouts. His last fight was against Tony Mustard back in December 2017. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.