Menu
17/02/2009
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. The nine men and six women were interviewed by customs officers at the west London airport and were released on bail until 7 and 8 April.
Bob Grainger, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Heathrow spokesman, said: "Crew members are subject to the same customs checks as any other person entering the UK.
"Those arrested are now being held in custody and will be interviewed by HMRC investigation officers."
The latest arrests comes just weeks after a similar incident when cocaine and cannabis worth £310,000 was found on a flight from the same airline.
50kg of cannabis, with a street value of £150,000, and 4kg of cocaine, worth £160,000 was found in bags when the flight landed at Heathrow on January 21.
The 15-crew members were released on unconditional bail, and was due to report back to HMRC investigators at Heathrow Police Station on March 23.
(JM/BMcC)
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. The nine men and six women were interviewed by customs officers at the west London airport and were released on bail until 7 and 8 April.
Bob Grainger, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Heathrow spokesman, said: "Crew members are subject to the same customs checks as any other person entering the UK.
"Those arrested are now being held in custody and will be interviewed by HMRC investigation officers."
The latest arrests comes just weeks after a similar incident when cocaine and cannabis worth £310,000 was found on a flight from the same airline.
50kg of cannabis, with a street value of £150,000, and 4kg of cocaine, worth £160,000 was found in bags when the flight landed at Heathrow on January 21.
The 15-crew members were released on unconditional bail, and was due to report back to HMRC investigators at Heathrow Police Station on March 23.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 March 2008
Woman Charged Over 'Kids With Drugs'
A Mexican woman has been charged with drug smuggling after customs officers at Heathrow allegedly found 15 kilos of cocaine strapped to the legs of two children. Elisa Vazquez Sanchez, 40, was arrested following the discovery of the drugs during a search at Terminal 4 at the airport on Tuesday.
Woman Charged Over 'Kids With Drugs'
A Mexican woman has been charged with drug smuggling after customs officers at Heathrow allegedly found 15 kilos of cocaine strapped to the legs of two children. Elisa Vazquez Sanchez, 40, was arrested following the discovery of the drugs during a search at Terminal 4 at the airport on Tuesday.
06 August 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.
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.
28 May 2012
Brit Woman Arrested After Smuggling Cocaine
A British woman has been arrested in Bali for allegedly smuggling cocaine, believed to be worth £1.6m, in her suitcase. Lindsay Sandford faces a maximum death penalty if found guilty. The 55-year-old covered her face as she was brought out to the media at a press conference in Kuta.
Brit Woman Arrested After Smuggling Cocaine
A British woman has been arrested in Bali for allegedly smuggling cocaine, believed to be worth £1.6m, in her suitcase. Lindsay Sandford faces a maximum death penalty if found guilty. The 55-year-old covered her face as she was brought out to the media at a press conference in Kuta.
22 October 2008
'Cocaine In Computer' Smuggler Jailed
A 35-year-old man who attempted to smuggle five kilos of cocaine inside a computer's base has been jailed for 11 years. Craig Allpress was arrested by investigators from HM revenue & Customs at a hotel in Waltham Abbey where he was waiting for the drugs to be delivered.
'Cocaine In Computer' Smuggler Jailed
A 35-year-old man who attempted to smuggle five kilos of cocaine inside a computer's base has been jailed for 11 years. Craig Allpress was arrested by investigators from HM revenue & Customs at a hotel in Waltham Abbey where he was waiting for the drugs to be delivered.
24 July 2006
Colombian cocaine gang jailed for 57 years
A Colombian cocaine gang living in London have been jailed for a total of 57 years at Southwark Crown Court. The gang of three men and two women were convicted of harbouring 108 kilos of cocaine worth £7.2 million. Six people had originally been charged with harbouring a controlled drug.
Colombian cocaine gang jailed for 57 years
A Colombian cocaine gang living in London have been jailed for a total of 57 years at Southwark Crown Court. The gang of three men and two women were convicted of harbouring 108 kilos of cocaine worth £7.2 million. Six people had originally been charged with harbouring a controlled drug.
-
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.
