Customs officer

• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  30 June 2009     19:2624793
  #1      
  apparently a customs officer was arrested at his dover home today on suspicion of drug trafficking.
  
  let us hope that it is all a mistake.
  
  terrible when a position of trust is abused.
• Guest 653

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,540
  1 July 2009     06:5224797
  #2      
  Let's hope that if he innocent he's found to be so, but of course if he is guilty, then he must face the full force of the law (which in many cases nowadays doesn't have much of a force.
  
  You are right Howard about abusing a position of trust.
  
  
  
  
  Roger
• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  1 July 2009     08:4224801
  #3      
  Roger the law does have quite a force still. Some of the press releases in from HMRC and/or the Border Agency, some of which were published on here, show the culprits getting whopping severe sentences. Even grannies are chucked into jail with the key being virtully chucked away. So drug smugglers beware...get caught and your sentance will be very long. Dont do it!
  
  
  ps:will add the latest press release to this thread shortly.
  email: dover7@msn.com
• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  1 July 2009     09:1724804
  #4      
  

  
  
  DARLINGTON COCAINE SMUGGLER JAILED
  
   
  A Darlington man, who tried to smuggle 17 kilos of cocaine into Dover Eastern Docks, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for nine years on Friday (26 June 2009).
  
  UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers intercepted Paul Simon Stephens (30) on 18 April 2009.  The drugs with an estimated street value of £750,000 were hidden in the fuel tank of his Jaguar car.
  
  The matter was passed to HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) officers for further investigation.
  
  Stephens who had travelled by ferry from Calais was charged on 19 April 2009 and pleaded guilty to the offence on Friday 26 June 2009.
  
  Richard Bowen, Acting HMRC Assistant Director Criminal Investigation said:
  "Our priority, in partnership with the UKBA, is to wipe out illegal drugs and their availability on UK streets. We will continue to take stringent action and bring individuals before the courts. Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods is encouraged to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk."
  
  ENDS 29/06/2009
  email: dover7@msn.com
• Guest 644

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 1,214
  1 July 2009     09:2224805
  #5      
  There is nothing more reprehensible than a government officer who abuses his or her position to make personal gains on the side. Such a person not only betrays the public, but his colleagues too. There is also the issue of leaking restricted intelligence to the criminal fraternity and the public at large. Potentially even national security could be threatened via such actions of greedy and corrupt officers.
  
  If found guilty, I hope the Court throws the book at him.
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  1 July 2009     11:0324807
  #6      
  he is not the first but i doubt if he will be the last,it dose seem that there are a lot of corrupt officers around these days.just wondering if there is somthing much deeper going on.
• Guest 653

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,540
  1 July 2009     16:5524814
  #7      
  I agree Phil - I can only guess it is the lure of extra money that draws them in.
  
  
  
  
  Roger