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22/10/2008
'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.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) stopped a white VW Caddy van on 11 April 2008 that had arrived at Harwich on the early morning ferry from the Hook of Holland. The drugs found were worth over £300,000.
When searching the van officers discovered only a box in the rear of the vehicle. Opening the box they found a computer base which appeared to be very heavy.
On closer examination the officers found that most of the workings of the computer had been removed and replaced with three black plastic wrapped packages.
The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged but found not guilty of smuggling offences.
In total, five kilos of cocaine was recovered of which 2.9 kilos was pure. At this point the case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs to continue investigating resulting in the arrest of Craig Allpress.
This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.
(JM)
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.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) stopped a white VW Caddy van on 11 April 2008 that had arrived at Harwich on the early morning ferry from the Hook of Holland. The drugs found were worth over £300,000.
When searching the van officers discovered only a box in the rear of the vehicle. Opening the box they found a computer base which appeared to be very heavy.
On closer examination the officers found that most of the workings of the computer had been removed and replaced with three black plastic wrapped packages.
The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged but found not guilty of smuggling offences.
In total, five kilos of cocaine was recovered of which 2.9 kilos was pure. At this point the case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs to continue investigating resulting in the arrest of Craig Allpress.
This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.
(JM)
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