NEWS
Liam Gregory leading Daisy Kell-Jones prosecute a £10 million cocaine importation for the Complex Crimes Unit at the Crown Prosecution Service
UK Border Force agents initially seized approximately 50kg of cocaine hidden in banana pallets at Portsmouth International Port. These were destined for business premises in West London. A second shipment of bananas was due to the same premises two weeks later. Border Force agents seized the second shipment on its arrival and this shipment contained 90 kilograms of cocaine. The cocaine seized was valued at approximately £10 million. Police conducted a covert surveillance of the second delivery and led a raid at the business premises. The owner of the business, and two workers were arrested at the scene.
The case involved analysis of financial and business documents as well as significant phone material, demonstrating that the company was set up as a sham by the owner to facilitate the importation of significant quantities of cocaine.
Following a trial lasting three weeks, the first defendant (the owner of the business) was convicted with sentence adjourned until April.
Initial press reports here: