LONDON, England (AFP) — A former Olympic judo star from Barbados was jailed for at least nine years yesterday for his role as an enforcer in major drug gang in Britain.

James Waithe worked as an aggressive debt collector for the gang, which made up to £1 million ($1.6 million, 1.1 million euros) a week from cocaine sales.

Waithe competed for Barbados in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and had represented England in Commonwealth competitions.

The 47-year-old was convicted last month of conspiracy to supply cocaine and possessing a firearm, and was jailed indefinitely yesterday at Bristol Crown Court in southwest England.

Judge Simon Darwall-Smith gave him a nominal sentence of 18 years, meaning he can be considered for release after nine — but he will only be freed when experts deem he is no longer a public threat.

Prosecutors at his trial claimed Waithe once tied a man to a chair, beat him with nunchuks, put out cigarettes in his ears and put his hands into an electric toaster.