Cocaine seizure by Customs at Dover.
- 31 March 2008 15:01912Press Release:
EASTER COCAINE SEIZURE BY CUSTOMS AT DOVER
Customs officers working at Dover's Eastern Docks over Easter have seized approximately 20 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of £800,000. The officers stopped a Nissan Pathfinder car as it disembarked from a ferry on Good Friday morning, 21 March 2008. A search of the vehicle revealed the drugs hidden in cans of fruit in shopping bags stowed between the seats.
The 47 year-old driver of the vehicle, Edmund ANDERSON, of Flat 24 The Mews, Bearwood Road, Smethwyck, West Midlands and two female passengers, Paulette CHAMBERS, aged 48, of the same address and Ambrozine HERON, aged 76, of 55 Ravenoak Way, Chigwell, Essex were arrested, interviewed and subsequently charged with smuggling drugs into the UK. The three appeared at Dover Magistrates Court on Saturday, 22 March and were remanded in custody until Thursday 27 March.
Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs spokesman in the South said: "Customs vigilance has prevented this cocaine from reaching its destination. We will continue to work to the Government's aim of reducing the availability of Class A drugs. Customs provide round the clock cover at Dover and the port should not be seen as a soft touch during public holidays."email: dover7@msn.com - 31 March 2008 15:06913Having only recently seen the sniffer dogs in action down at the docks it still amazes me why people try to do this kind of smuggling as mentioned in the above press release. Obviously the rewards are high for the criminals, if they succeed, so I guess people will keep on trying.
Its a good job for all of us that the Customs Officers are so vigilant as we dont want our streets turning into total and complete cesspits. Much of all sorts of low level crime is drug related as we know.email: dover7@msn.com - 31 March 2008 17:12917The Customs are to be congratulated for apprehending a party of drug traffickers but unfortunately they will tell you that does not even represent the tip of the iceberg. The percentage caught is far lower than those who get away with it, making the rewards for the traffickers or their barons worth the risk.
cannabis is probably the most widely used drug and not only amongst the young, its long term effect on the brain through habitual use is well documented. The majority of cannabis is illegally imported, only a very small percentage is produced in illegal factories in this country.
At weekends the culture tends to be cocaine which is easily obtained in any town.
Mixing cocaine with alcohol can trigger off acts of violence and disorderly conduct. Its effects do not last that long and therefore the user will take more than one 'snort' during the course of an evening.
Heroin is the most addictive of all and statistics show that the majority of users either refuse treatment or never complete their rehab programme.
Drugs in real terms have never been so cheap, a quantity of Cannabis is on average £15.00 cocanine £25.00 and heroin £10.00 per sachet.
The damand is so high that thousands of kilos are being smuggled into the country
every year making it a very lucrative business.
May customs remain vigilant in their fight against this vile trade. - 31 March 2008 19:28923Surely if the Govt increased Customs staffing levels and we as Tax payers were willing to pay the additional cost then as an island we could achieve even a better rate of detection.
Make the penalities for drug smuggling harsher ie longer sentences,no D cat or Open nicks,no home visits and regular p**s tests together with counselling and rehabilatation.Put that with 3 strikes and your out and then see what happens,
As a matter of interest most drug smugglers of large quantities are non users but ply their trade on the weak and vunerable.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 31 March 2008 19:59928What would you increase staffing levels. Everybody that comes through the docks whether it be the little old couple, a caravanner or lorry driver is a potential suspect. Most of these people are couriers who probably don't know themselves who the top people are. Counseling and rehab is in existence now for users but the success rate is very low.
The users of heroin finance their £50.00- £60.00 PER DAY habits by stealing either from shops or from us, which actually makes us the victims. Lock them up and let them go 'cold turkey'. After all us victims have to pay for their Methadone and tranquilisers. Instead of feeling sorry for the poor soul who had a bad upbringing or was led astray by the wrong company be cruel to be kind. - 31 March 2008 21:14932i am all for catching drug importers but that springer spaniel down at the eastern docks sniffs at my delicate bits far too closely.
i hope that it has had its teeth out.
makes me very nervous.