Man jailed for ecstasy smuggling attempt

A 38-year-old man from Tower Hamlets, London has been jailed for five years after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle approximately 14 kilos of MDMA (ecstasy) into the UK through Dover.

The Court heard that Border Force officers at Dover's Eastern Docks stopped a British-registered Mini driven by Fabien Decodts on 18 November 2012 after he arrived on a ferry from Calais.

After questioning Decodts officers searched the car and found eight packages hidden in the rear quarter panels. Four of the packages contained green tablets and the other four a brown crystal substance both of which tested positive to a field test for MDMA.

Decodts was arrested and charged with the importation of the class A drug.

A search of his home revealed quantities of MDMA, cannabis and amphetamine hidden in a safe. The drugs seized at the port and those found at Decodts's home had an estimated potential street value of over £150,000.

He pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 10 January 2013, and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court Monday (20 May 2013).

Malcolm Bragg, from Border Force said: "Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted will face prison sentences. The message to anyone tempted to get involved is clear. We will catch you and you will pay with your liberty.

"Border Force officers will continue to work diligently to keep our border secure and to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to profit from this evil trade."

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.