Lorry Driver Jailed For Heroin Smuggling

A lorry driver from Ayrshire, who tried to smuggle 12.45 kilos of heroin, with an estimated street value of £647,400, into the UK through Dover has been jailed for 11 years at Canterbury Crown Court (on Friday 19 June 2009).

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers intercepted Thomas Kilpatrick Findlay, 52, in the freight controls at Dover Eastern Docks on 6 February 2007. Findlay had arrived in his lorry by ferry from Calais and was arrested after the drugs were found under boxes of Peperami. The heroin was in unmarked boxes sealed with tape.

Findlay was charged with drug smuggling offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. He was found guilty on 19 June 2009.

Malcolm Bragg, HMRC Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, said: "The success of this latest operation highlights our proactive role in reducing the availability of drugs in the UK. Heroin has a devastating impact on individuals as well as the wider effect on local communities. We will continue to take stringent action and work with our prosecutors to 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".