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10/10/2003
South African jailed over cannabis smuggling
A South African man has been jailed for two-and-a-half years at Belfast Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle cannabis through Belfast City Airport.
Customs officers intercepted Gabriel Jacobus Frederick Erasmus, 49, on January 20 on his arrival at Belfast City Airport from Johannesburg via London Heathrow. On examination of Erasmus' baggage, Customs officers found a number of packages glued to the underside of a board that was concealed beneath the lining of his suitcase. The packages were found to contain almost 17 kilos of compressed herbal cannabis which had a street value of £50,000.
Customs' Head of Investigation Northern Ireland Jane Salt said: "The removal of £50,000 worth of cannabis from the criminal supply chain shows Customs' commitment to the multi-agency fight against drugs in Northern Ireland.
"In line with the UK government's drugs strategy, we work with our partners at home and abroad to reduce the availability of Class A drugs, while continuing to detect and prosecute smugglers of other illegal drugs such as cannabis.
"This case should act as a warning to anyone tempted to get involved in drug smuggling."
In sentencing Erasmus, the Judge Burgess said that "the message must go out that Northern Ireland courts will punish heavily".
(gmcg)
Customs officers intercepted Gabriel Jacobus Frederick Erasmus, 49, on January 20 on his arrival at Belfast City Airport from Johannesburg via London Heathrow. On examination of Erasmus' baggage, Customs officers found a number of packages glued to the underside of a board that was concealed beneath the lining of his suitcase. The packages were found to contain almost 17 kilos of compressed herbal cannabis which had a street value of £50,000.
Customs' Head of Investigation Northern Ireland Jane Salt said: "The removal of £50,000 worth of cannabis from the criminal supply chain shows Customs' commitment to the multi-agency fight against drugs in Northern Ireland.
"In line with the UK government's drugs strategy, we work with our partners at home and abroad to reduce the availability of Class A drugs, while continuing to detect and prosecute smugglers of other illegal drugs such as cannabis.
"This case should act as a warning to anyone tempted to get involved in drug smuggling."
In sentencing Erasmus, the Judge Burgess said that "the message must go out that Northern Ireland courts will punish heavily".
(gmcg)
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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.
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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.
