Menu
06/06/2003
Scots drugs haul gang sentenced to 58 years
Four Scots were jailed today for a total of 58 years after Customs officials intercepted one of the biggest ever hauls of cocaine in the UK.
Customs officers uncovered half a tonne of the Class A drug - with an estimated street value of £25 million - hidden in bales of rubber at Felixstowe prior to shipment to Grangemouth.
Customs then mounted a major surveillance operation with the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, replacing the drugs and tracking the consignment to the west of Scotland.
The four men were found guilty by majority verdict at Glasgow High Court on May 16 and were sentenced today at Edinburgh High Court.
James Mair, 38, of Cumnock, and William Cairn Grant, 38, of Bothwell, were each sentenced to 18 years in prison. David Howitt Frew, 55, of Kilwinning, received a 12-year jail term, while Sean Collins McAdam, 36, of Kilwinning, was sentenced to 10 years.
A fifth man, William Simpson McAdam, 40, of Kilwinning was found not guilty by a unanimous verdict.
Customs' Head of Investigation Scotland Pete McGee said: "This case should act as a strong deterrent to anyone tempted to get involved with drug smuggling.
"It shows the determination of Customs officers across the UK to use advanced detection methods and targeted resources to tackle international trafficking.
"The seizure of over £25 million worth of cocaine shows how Customs, together with the SDEA and other agencies across the UK, are able to work in partnership to take dangerous drugs off the streets of Scotland. We will now vigorously pursue the confiscation of assets of those convicted."
The drugs arrived at the port of Felixstowe on a container ship, the 'Magleby Maersk' en route from Panama to Grangemouth. Three freight containers from the ship with a consignment of bales of rubber were X-rayed. Of the 507 bales, 125 were suspect and on closer examination these were found to contain a white substance later identified as cocaine.
The drugs were removed by Customs officers in Felixstowe and were replaced with a dummy load. The consignment was released to continue its journey from Felixstowe to Grangemouth where it was transported by road to a storage facility in Stepps, Glasgow. It remained there for eight days under constant observation by Customs staff.
On the October 1 2002, two pallets from the consignment of rubber were tracked by Customs officers as they were transferred to an industrial unit in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
At the premises in Kilwinning, the suspects started to break up the consignment and at that point Customs "knocked" both the Kilwinning and Stepps sites and arrests were made.
(GMcG)
Customs officers uncovered half a tonne of the Class A drug - with an estimated street value of £25 million - hidden in bales of rubber at Felixstowe prior to shipment to Grangemouth.
Customs then mounted a major surveillance operation with the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, replacing the drugs and tracking the consignment to the west of Scotland.
The four men were found guilty by majority verdict at Glasgow High Court on May 16 and were sentenced today at Edinburgh High Court.
James Mair, 38, of Cumnock, and William Cairn Grant, 38, of Bothwell, were each sentenced to 18 years in prison. David Howitt Frew, 55, of Kilwinning, received a 12-year jail term, while Sean Collins McAdam, 36, of Kilwinning, was sentenced to 10 years.
A fifth man, William Simpson McAdam, 40, of Kilwinning was found not guilty by a unanimous verdict.
Customs' Head of Investigation Scotland Pete McGee said: "This case should act as a strong deterrent to anyone tempted to get involved with drug smuggling.
"It shows the determination of Customs officers across the UK to use advanced detection methods and targeted resources to tackle international trafficking.
"The seizure of over £25 million worth of cocaine shows how Customs, together with the SDEA and other agencies across the UK, are able to work in partnership to take dangerous drugs off the streets of Scotland. We will now vigorously pursue the confiscation of assets of those convicted."
The drugs arrived at the port of Felixstowe on a container ship, the 'Magleby Maersk' en route from Panama to Grangemouth. Three freight containers from the ship with a consignment of bales of rubber were X-rayed. Of the 507 bales, 125 were suspect and on closer examination these were found to contain a white substance later identified as cocaine.
The drugs were removed by Customs officers in Felixstowe and were replaced with a dummy load. The consignment was released to continue its journey from Felixstowe to Grangemouth where it was transported by road to a storage facility in Stepps, Glasgow. It remained there for eight days under constant observation by Customs staff.
On the October 1 2002, two pallets from the consignment of rubber were tracked by Customs officers as they were transferred to an industrial unit in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
At the premises in Kilwinning, the suspects started to break up the consignment and at that point Customs "knocked" both the Kilwinning and Stepps sites and arrests were made.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
15 August 2003
Customs seizes suspected drugs cash
Customs Officers have obtained a court order to confiscate £14,000 in cash – which is believed to be linked to drugs trafficking – following the interception of two men at Waterloo Station. The pair had flown from Gatwick Airport that morning to Schipol Airport, Amsterdam.
Customs seizes suspected drugs cash
Customs Officers have obtained a court order to confiscate £14,000 in cash – which is believed to be linked to drugs trafficking – following the interception of two men at Waterloo Station. The pair had flown from Gatwick Airport that morning to Schipol Airport, Amsterdam.
16 December 2004
£1.7bn recouped as UK 'VAT gap' decreases by 3%
The annual report from HM Customs and Excise has revealed that VAT losses have fallen from 15.8% to 12.9% in 2003/04. This has closed the "VAT gap", the theoretical difference between the possible yield from VAT and the actual receipts received, by nearly 3% and provided an additional £1.7bn of revenue to the exchequer.
£1.7bn recouped as UK 'VAT gap' decreases by 3%
The annual report from HM Customs and Excise has revealed that VAT losses have fallen from 15.8% to 12.9% in 2003/04. This has closed the "VAT gap", the theoretical difference between the possible yield from VAT and the actual receipts received, by nearly 3% and provided an additional £1.7bn of revenue to the exchequer.
07 June 2004
£55m cocaine smuggling gang jailed for 64 years
Three men have been jailed for a total of 64 years today for attempting to smuggle £55 million of cocaine into the UK.
£55m cocaine smuggling gang jailed for 64 years
Three men have been jailed for a total of 64 years today for attempting to smuggle £55 million of cocaine into the UK.
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:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
