WIREDGOV

Gang Sentenced to 57 Years for Smuggling Drugs in Charter Plane

REVENUE & CUSTOMS PROSECUTION OFFICE News Release (PN07/011) issued by The Government News Network on 16 November 2007

Four men were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court this week for a total of 57 years for importing over 15kg of cocaine into the UK using light aircraft. The sentences followed a successful prosecution by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO).

Ian Wilde, James Horvat, Rodney Forbes and Terrence Burns were all convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine following an intensive investigation by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The men were members of a gang of smugglers who imported over £1 million worth of cocaine, using light aircraft flown from mainland Europe to airfields around the UK.

On 24 February 2006, Horvat and two other men were stopped by law enforcement Officers at Blackpool airport. Horvat's bag was opened and searched on the tarmac where it was found to contain a number of packages. These were subsequently tested and proved to be full of cocaine. All three men were then arrested.

Wilde, Horvat, Forbes and Burns all played different roles within the smuggling ring. Ian Wilde, to whom the judge referred as a "leading player in the conspiracy" owned and ran a private aircraft charter company called Planemove/Air UK, based near Manchester Airport. The prosecution said that it was this company that was the front for importing the drugs. James Horvat lived in Germany and played the role of courier. He made contact with the gang via Rodney Forbes, who was the link between those members of the gang in UK and those in Germany. Terrence Burns was responsible for collecting Horvat and the drugs from the airport in the UK.

Upon sentencing the men, His Honour Judge Mark Brown said "this was a substantial and sophisticated enterprise and the profits were no doubt very high and in these circumstances so are the consequences."

Elizabeth Bailey, head of RCPO's Manchester Office said:
"I am delighted with this result, which is testament to all involved in this operation, particularly those involved in the prosecution who were commended by the trial judge for their professionalism. This demonstrates what we can achieve when investigators and prosecutors work closely together in the fight against drug smuggling."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The four men were charged with conspiracy to contravene section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

2. They were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 14 November 2007.
3. Ian Wilde: DOB: 12/12/1952 Address: 5 Agden Hall Farm, Agden Hall Road, Lymm, Cheshire. Sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

4. James Horvat: DOB 14/06/1953 Address: Konigstrasse 1, 44139 Dortmund, Germany. Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

5. Rodney Forbes: DOB 06/01/1967 Address: 20 Oxford Avenue, Greys, Romford, Essex. Sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

6. Terrence Burns: DOB 19/06/1966 Address San Salvador, Warren Lane, Greys, Essex. Sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

7. The Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 07 April 2005. It is an independent prosecuting authority reporting directly to the Attorney General.