16/06/2003

Woman charged with drugs smuggling

A South African woman has been charged with smuggling a controlled substance through Manchester Airport.

Maria Magdelena Van Wyk, aged 43, from Gerimiston, South Africa, was arrested on Saturday morning after arriving at Manchester Airport on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana.

She was detained on suspicion of having swallowed drugs in order to smuggle them into the UK.

Ms Van Wyk appeared yesterday at Manchester Magistrates Court and was charged with importation of a controlled drug, believed to be cocaine. She was remanded in custody.

Customs spokesperson Phil Rogers said: "This latest seizure shows Customs' commitment, in line with the UK government's strategy, to reducing the availability of dangerous drugs."

(GMcG)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 May 2015
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
17 September 2004
Court imposes lengthy sentences on drug smugglers
Hefty sentences totalling 31.5 years were handed down to one man and two women convicted of drug smuggling charges today at Manchester Crown Court. Rodcliffe Burns Smith, 35, of Rowley Regis was jailed for nine years for cocaine smuggling and two years for cannabis smuggling.
18 September 2015
GMP Report On FGM Operations At Manchester Airport
Several hundred families were spoken to and more than one hundred flights were monitored as part of a week-long campaign to raise awareness about female genital mutilation (FGM).
07 September 2009
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
30 March 2005
Rooney assault claims dropped
The man who accused footballer Wayne Rooney of assault has dropped his claim, it has been reported. Patrick Hanrahan, a 22-year-old student from Eaglescliffe, Middlesborough, accused the England and Manchester United striker of attacking him in the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Manchester.