18 YEARS JAIL FOR DUTCH LORRY DRIVER WITH £6.2 M DRUG LOAD

18 Jul 2005 01:15 PM

A Dutch lorry driver, Erik Martin Kuiper, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after attempting to import 70 kilograms of Heroin through Harwich International Port. The drugs were found to have an average purity of 60% and an estimated street value of £6.2 million.

47 year old Kuiper, of Bovenkarspel in the Netherlands was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday July 14 following a four day trial.

HH Judge Gratwick, in passing sentence, said:
"This is a serious case. Heroin is a nasty drug and highly addictive. People who use it are forced into a life of crime because it is so addictive."

HMRC investigator Jim Jarvie commented:
"This court result sends a clear message to those who attempt to profit from smuggling Class A drugs into the UK."

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority that reports to the Attorney General and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.

Notes for editors

1. This case concerns the importation of approximately 70 kilograms of heroin contrary to section 170 (2) of the Customs & Excise Management Act 1979.

2. Erik Martin Kuiper, (DOB 17.8.57) a Dutch national, was stopped inbound at Harwich International Port having arrived on the Stenna Transfer from Euro Port at 6.30 hours on 14 January 2005.

3. Kuiper was the driver of lorry unit BP GD 45 and towing trailer number OS1324. On examination of the lorry and trailer, a concealment was found within the trailer containing four holdalls each with numerous packages inside. A drugs field test gave positive reaction to Heroin and this was confirmed by the Forensic Science Service. The final weight of the drugs was 69.6 kilograms with an average purity of 60% and an approximate street value of £6.2 million.

4. Kuiper was arrested, cautioned and interviewed in the presence of legal representation. He stated that the trailer belonged to him, but the lorry had been hired. He also said that he was delivering to an address in Harlow on behalf of another Dutch man. Kuiper said he was not present during the loading of the trailer. The address in Harlow was found to be fictitious.

5. Kuiper confirmed that he was aware it was illegal to import drugs into the United Kingdom.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Media Relations Team

Website www.hmrc.gov.uk