Menu
15/10/2015
73-Year-Old Jailed For Drug Smuggling And Attempting To Fake Own Death
A 73-year-old drug smuggler who attempted to fake his own death
to avoid prison has been jailed for eight years.
Spanish national Jose Louis Calvo Serra, from Madrid, was first arrested at Bristol Airport on 9 March 2012 as he tried to leave the UK.
He had arrived at the same airport a few days earlier having travelled from Spain, via Casablanca, Gambia, Senegal and Brussels.
A 76-year-old man Calvo Serra had been travelling with had been found to be carrying almost four kilos of cocaine.
Computer and forensic evidence was identified that linked Calvo Serra to the importation, but while on bail NCA investigators received a death certificate.
Checks with the Spanish authorities showed that no formal record of his death existed and the certificate was a forgery. A European Arrest Warrant was issued and he was extradited after being located in Madrid in April 2015.
Calvo Serra was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine at Bristol Crown Court. He was jailed for eight years, plus an extra four months for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Dawn Cartwright, Operations Manager for the NCA's Border Investigation Team, said: "Calvo Serra thought he could escape justice by playing dead but our investigators were not so easily fooled and checks revealed the death certificate was a fake.
"We then worked with our Spanish colleagues to track him down and return him to the UK to face justice.
"It demonstrates our determination to disrupt and bring to book drug traffickers and the organised criminal networks involved in this illegal trade."
(MH/LM)
to avoid prison has been jailed for eight years.
Spanish national Jose Louis Calvo Serra, from Madrid, was first arrested at Bristol Airport on 9 March 2012 as he tried to leave the UK.
He had arrived at the same airport a few days earlier having travelled from Spain, via Casablanca, Gambia, Senegal and Brussels.
A 76-year-old man Calvo Serra had been travelling with had been found to be carrying almost four kilos of cocaine.
Computer and forensic evidence was identified that linked Calvo Serra to the importation, but while on bail NCA investigators received a death certificate.
Checks with the Spanish authorities showed that no formal record of his death existed and the certificate was a forgery. A European Arrest Warrant was issued and he was extradited after being located in Madrid in April 2015.
Calvo Serra was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine at Bristol Crown Court. He was jailed for eight years, plus an extra four months for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Dawn Cartwright, Operations Manager for the NCA's Border Investigation Team, said: "Calvo Serra thought he could escape justice by playing dead but our investigators were not so easily fooled and checks revealed the death certificate was a fake.
"We then worked with our Spanish colleagues to track him down and return him to the UK to face justice.
"It demonstrates our determination to disrupt and bring to book drug traffickers and the organised criminal networks involved in this illegal trade."
(MH/LM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2005
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
29 July 2010
British Man's Spanish Stab Death Probed
A British man has been stabbed to death near the Spanish resort of Benalmádena. It was the first of two violent deaths in the area this week and has led to an English woman - named locally as Michelle Cornell - being arrested.
British Man's Spanish Stab Death Probed
A British man has been stabbed to death near the Spanish resort of Benalmádena. It was the first of two violent deaths in the area this week and has led to an English woman - named locally as Michelle Cornell - being arrested.
17 December 2013
Canoe Death Fake Arrested Over Breach Of Licence
A man jailed for faking his own death in an insurance fraud scheme has been arrested for breaching the terms of his releases. 63-year-old John Darwin was jailed for six years in 2008 after he was convicted of faking his own death in a canoe accident. In 2011, after serving half of his sentence, Darwin was released on licence.
Canoe Death Fake Arrested Over Breach Of Licence
A man jailed for faking his own death in an insurance fraud scheme has been arrested for breaching the terms of his releases. 63-year-old John Darwin was jailed for six years in 2008 after he was convicted of faking his own death in a canoe accident. In 2011, after serving half of his sentence, Darwin was released on licence.
03 November 2011
Man Arrested In Fake Death Probe
A British man accused of faking his own death so his wife could collect his life insurance money has been arrested in Australia. It is alleged that Hugo Jose Sanchez, 47, faked his own death to secure a life insurance payout totaling around £1m. Mr Sanchez was located in Sydney five years after police began their search for him.
Man Arrested In Fake Death Probe
A British man accused of faking his own death so his wife could collect his life insurance money has been arrested in Australia. It is alleged that Hugo Jose Sanchez, 47, faked his own death to secure a life insurance payout totaling around £1m. Mr Sanchez was located in Sydney five years after police began their search for him.
28 April 2008
Report Criticises Justice System Over Bus Death
The criminal justice system has come under fire over breached bail conditions of a man that lead the death of a bus passenger. A report has condemned the 'lackadaisical' approach, which led to a man, who had been arrested for alleged abduction and unlawful sex with a minor, to being released.
Report Criticises Justice System Over Bus Death
The criminal justice system has come under fire over breached bail conditions of a man that lead the death of a bus passenger. A report has condemned the 'lackadaisical' approach, which led to a man, who had been arrested for alleged abduction and unlawful sex with a minor, to being released.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
