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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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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.
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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Police in Cardiff searching for a missing person have uncovered a cannabis farm in a disused ward of a psychiatric hospital. It is understood that around 30 cannabis plants were uncovered by officers during a search at Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff. News of the cannabis farm was revealed in a report by the BBC.
Cannabis Factory Uncovered In Cardiff Hospital
Police in Cardiff searching for a missing person have uncovered a cannabis farm in a disused ward of a psychiatric hospital. It is understood that around 30 cannabis plants were uncovered by officers during a search at Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff. News of the cannabis farm was revealed in a report by the BBC.
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11 January 2010
800 Cannabis Plants Seized
Two men have been arrested after police in Tipton seized 800 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £100,000, at an industrial unit in Sedgley Road East. Officers were called to reports of a fire at the address on last Monday at around 6pm.
800 Cannabis Plants Seized
Two men have been arrested after police in Tipton seized 800 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £100,000, at an industrial unit in Sedgley Road East. Officers were called to reports of a fire at the address on last Monday at around 6pm.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
