Menu
06/08/2004
Heathrow cocaine smuggling trio jailed
Three men have been jailed for a total of 53 years today following a cocaine seizure at Heathrow airport worth an estimated £750,000.
Kamaljit Bassi, 40, a British Airways baggage handler of 75 Park Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, Brian Emile, 49, a spiritualist of 20a Beechwood Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, and Junior Royes, 39, unemployed of 24 Compton Road, Kensal Rise, London, were convicted at Guildford Crown Court today of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the UK.
All had pleaded not guilty to their involvement in the smuggling attempts. Bassi was sentenced to 19 years; Emile and Royes to 17 years each.
Two other defendants, a man and a woman who were used to transport the drugs to the UK, were acquitted.
The court had heard that on February 16 2003, Customs officers, observed the two couriers arriving separately in Terminal 1 at Heathrow on flights from Brazil and Guyana.
Bassi, a British Airways baggage handler, was watched as he removed the cocaine from two pieces of baggage belonging to the two couriers. Customs officers maintained surveillance on the baggage handler, as he transported the drugs to near Hanger Lane, London, where he was due to hand the drugs over to Royes. The two men were arrested. A third person, Emile was later arrested at his home in Hayes, Middlesex.
After sentencing Judge Testar commended Customs officers for their determination in this investigation.
Brian Robertson, Customs Assistant Chief Investigation Officer at Heathrow, said: "This excellent result demonstrates the high level of international co-operation against drug trafficking, with valuable assistance given to us in this investigation by authorities in Brazil, Spain and Barbados. It is a very good example of the determination of HM Customs & Excise and our partner agencies to identify and prosecute airport workers who abuse their position to facilitate serious crime."
(gmcg)
Kamaljit Bassi, 40, a British Airways baggage handler of 75 Park Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, Brian Emile, 49, a spiritualist of 20a Beechwood Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, and Junior Royes, 39, unemployed of 24 Compton Road, Kensal Rise, London, were convicted at Guildford Crown Court today of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the UK.
All had pleaded not guilty to their involvement in the smuggling attempts. Bassi was sentenced to 19 years; Emile and Royes to 17 years each.
Two other defendants, a man and a woman who were used to transport the drugs to the UK, were acquitted.
The court had heard that on February 16 2003, Customs officers, observed the two couriers arriving separately in Terminal 1 at Heathrow on flights from Brazil and Guyana.
Bassi, a British Airways baggage handler, was watched as he removed the cocaine from two pieces of baggage belonging to the two couriers. Customs officers maintained surveillance on the baggage handler, as he transported the drugs to near Hanger Lane, London, where he was due to hand the drugs over to Royes. The two men were arrested. A third person, Emile was later arrested at his home in Hayes, Middlesex.
After sentencing Judge Testar commended Customs officers for their determination in this investigation.
Brian Robertson, Customs Assistant Chief Investigation Officer at Heathrow, said: "This excellent result demonstrates the high level of international co-operation against drug trafficking, with valuable assistance given to us in this investigation by authorities in Brazil, Spain and Barbados. It is a very good example of the determination of HM Customs & Excise and our partner agencies to identify and prosecute airport workers who abuse their position to facilitate serious crime."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2009
Flight Crew Bailed Following £250k Drug Find
Customs officers have questioned 15 members of a South African Airways flight crew after £250,000 of cocaine was discovered on a plane. The employees were arrested after UK Border Agency officers found 5kg of the Class A substance when their flight from Johannesburg landed at Heathrow on Monday. The cocaine was discovered in luggage on the flight.
Flight Crew Bailed Following £250k Drug Find
Customs officers have questioned 15 members of a South African Airways flight crew after £250,000 of cocaine was discovered on a plane. The employees were arrested after UK Border Agency officers found 5kg of the Class A substance when their flight from Johannesburg landed at Heathrow on Monday. The cocaine was discovered in luggage on the flight.
02 September 2003
Two men carrying 14 kilos of cocaine arrested at Gatwick
Two men were taken into police custody yesterday after Customs officers found approximately 14 kilos of cocaine in luggage. The drugs were concealed inside two hard-sided suitcases and had an estimated street value of £840,000.
Two men carrying 14 kilos of cocaine arrested at Gatwick
Two men were taken into police custody yesterday after Customs officers found approximately 14 kilos of cocaine in luggage. The drugs were concealed inside two hard-sided suitcases and had an estimated street value of £840,000.
09 April 2003
Drugs 'mule' sentenced to seven years
A man who was arrested for smuggling cocaine through London's Waterloo Eurostar Terminal has been today jailed for seven years at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court. Iuri Jorge Coelho, a 19-year-old Portuguese national, was stopped by Customs officers at Waterloo International Terminal on February 8, having arrived on a train from Brussels.
Drugs 'mule' sentenced to seven years
A man who was arrested for smuggling cocaine through London's Waterloo Eurostar Terminal has been today jailed for seven years at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court. Iuri Jorge Coelho, a 19-year-old Portuguese national, was stopped by Customs officers at Waterloo International Terminal on February 8, having arrived on a train from Brussels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
-
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.
