WIREDGOV

Two brothers from Sussex have been convicted for attempting to smuggle drugs worth around £200,000 into Scotland via Prestwick Airport.

Jack (aged 25) and James (26) Goldsmith, from Hastings, were intercepted by Border Force officers at the Scottish airport on 11 January, having arrived on a flight from Malaga.

Both were found to have suitcases stuffed with herbal cannabis. Each was carrying around ten kilos of the drug.

National Crime Agency investigators were able to establish that James Goldsmith, who had numerous convictions for drug possession and supply in England, had flown out to Faro in Portugal from Gatwick on 5 January. He is suspected of collecting the drugs from known dealers in Portugal before returning via Malaga with his brother.

Officers also found that both brothers had made five similar trips to Europe during 2017.

Despite initially denying knowledge of the drugs in their suitcases James Goldsmith later pleaded guilty to the importation of controlled drugs, and the possession and supply of drugs. His brother pleaded guilty to the importation offence.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday 15 June James Goldsmith was sentenced to three years in prison. Jack Goldsmith received 200 hours community service.

John McGowan, operations manager for the NCA in Scotland, said:

“These brothers were involved in an attempt to bring a substantial quantity of illegal drugs into the UK through Prestwick, and it is clear from what we have established that they had connections with criminal groups in the UK and Europe.

“Working with our colleagues at Border Force we are determined to disrupt and dismantle the networks involved in this type of criminality.”

Murdo MacMillan, Border Force North Deputy Director, said:

“In making this seizure and stopping these men Border Force and the NCA have protected the public and prevented further criminality.

“We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to prevent drug trafficking.”