Drug Smuggler Jailed For Eight Years

A man who attempted to smuggle six kilos of cocaine into the UK was jailed for eight years at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, 24th February 2009. The estimated street value of the drugs was £240,000.

The court heard that on the 8th December 2008 Michel Gueguen arrived at the Inward Tourist controls at Dover's Eastern Docks, having travelled from Paris by coach. UK Border Agency officers questioned Gueguen, and then searched his baggage. In the lining of a laptop case Officers found white powder which tested positive to cocaine.

The case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Investigation Officers. Gueguen pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on 9 February 2009.

Maria Finelli, spokeswoman for HMRC at Dover said: "HM Revenue & Customs, along with the UK Border Agency, is working at the forefront of the fight to tackle drug smuggling at ports and airports throughout the UK. HMRC take a very serious view drug smuggling."

Gueguen was charged with the illegal importation of Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.