WIREDGOV

82 years for drug offences and new powers to prevent future criminality used in landmark case

SERIOUS OGANISED CRIME AGENCY News Release issued by The Government News Network on 16 July 2008

Six men have been sentenced to a total of 82 years for drug offences, with four also being issued orders preventing them using multiple phones or possessing more than £1000 cash, at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.

The convictions followed a major investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency which resulted in the seizure of 26kg of cocaine and of more than £1m cash. Alongside the significant jail terms, four of the six defendants were issued Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) - these are a new power and are designed to prevent the four men from being involved in organised criminal activity in the future.

Barry GREEN was sentenced to 23 imprisonment and an SCPO,
Mark DAY was sentenced to 17 imprisonment and an SCPO
Jonathan WATSON was sentenced to 15 imprisonment, an SCPO and a Travel Restriction Order;
Deryk WHITE was sentenced to 11.5 imprisonment and an SCPO
Brent DWYER was sentenced to 9 imprisonment, and
Paul AUSTIN was sentenced to 6.5 imprisonment.

The SCPOs will commence on the date of their release from prison. The terms of the SCPOs prevent Day, Green, Watson and White from:

* possession of more than £1,000 in cash without informing SOCA;
* applying for a loan or mortgage without informing SOCA; and
* owning or using more than one mobile phone.

William Hughes, SOCA's Director General, said:

"This is a significant day in the fight against serious organised crime. The lengthy jail terms and prohibitive restrictions on future activity send a very clear message to criminals that their activities may be curtailed even after prison sentences have been completed.
"SOCA is committed to tackling serious organised crime. New legislation such as Serious Crime Prevention Orders will protect the public and send a very clear message to those involved in serious organised crime - that SOCA will make the UK an ever more difficult place to commit serious organised crime."

Gregor McGill, Head of Division E at the Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office commented:

"This is an excellent outcome. Serious Crime Prevention Orders are a very good new weapon in our armoury against determined professional criminals. As specialist government prosecutors we in RCPO use all the powers at our disposal to continue to do our utmost in cooperation with our SOCA colleagues to ensure that dangerous criminals are vigorously investigated and effectively prosecuted."

Notes to Editors

1. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is an intelligence-led agency formed in April 2006 to tackle Class A drugs and organised immigration crime as top priorities. Other priorities are fraud against individuals and the private sector, hi tech crime, counterfeiting, firearms, serious robbery and recovery of the proceeds of crime.

2. SOCA is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by, but operationally independent from, the Home Office.

3. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 18 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK.

4. Serious Crime Prevention Orders were created through the Serious Crime Act 2007. They allow SOCA and other law enforcement agencies to place conditions, restrictions or reporting requirements on those involved in serious crime.

The purpose of an order is to protect the public by preventing, restricting or deterring those involved in serious crime from continuing their involvement.

Breach of a Serious Crime Prevention Order is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

A Serious Crime Prevention Order can last for up to 5 years from the date on which it commences.

5. A Travel Restriction Order (TRO) can be imposed on any offender convicted of a drug trafficking offence and sentenced to four years or more in prison, regardless of nationality. The aim of the order is to reduce re-offending through restricting the movements of convicted drug traffickers. UK passport holders (including those with dual nationality) may be required to surrender their passports to the court. The TRO comes into effect upon the offender's release from prison and its minimum length is two years. The penalty for breach of a TRO is five years' imprisonment and/or a fine. TROs were established through the Criminal Justice & Police Act, 2001