Cocaine Van Man Jailed For Six Years

A 56-year-old man has been jailed for six years after he was caught transporting £3.5m for cocaine, hidden behind panels in his van.

Joseph Burns’ Peugeot Partner van had already been identified by police as possibly carrying drugs on board and when it was seen in Farnborough, Surrey, on 12 May, observations for the vehicle were circulated to police forces along its suspected route back to Merseyside.

Officers from West Midlands Police first spotted the van on the M42 at 1.45pm, stopping it a short while later on the M6 near Perry Barr.

On searching the vehicle, officers discovered wooden panelling which, when dismantled, contained hidden compartments concealing 15 packages of cocaine with a street value of £3.5m.

Burns, of Snowdon Lane, Liverpool, was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and admitted the offence at a court hearing last month. On 3 July, Burns was sentenced to six years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court.

Detective Constable Chris Woodward said: "We believe Burns – who had not been in trouble with the police before – may have run into financial difficulties and accepted a cash in hand courier job to pay off some debts.

"Whatever his reason, there is never any justification for drug dealing and this hefty sentence should act as a deterrent to anyone asked to carry or transport something in suspicious circumstances. When we catch you, the courts will hit you hard and it simply isn’t worth the risk: don’t do it."

(MH)