20 years jail for Tuna drug smuggler

4 Jul 2006 09:45 AM

A 43 year old London man has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of attempting to smuggle 85 kgs of cocaine into the UK concealed within cans of tuna fish. Roy Brooks was arrested in October 2005 following a joint investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the National Crime Squad.

Passing sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, June 30th, HH Judge Hayward Smith said:

"You were not the centre of this web but played a big part, the misery that this drug would have caused is incalculable. Despite the fact that you have a cocaine habit which has affected your life you were still prepared to take part in this importation"

During a three week trial it was revealed that the concealment of class A drugs, with a street value of approximately £4.25m, was shipped from Venezuela into Tilbury Docks and then delivered to the business premises of Five Star Imports Ltd in South East London. The container was kept under surveillance during delivery and HMRC officers observed Brooks (Company Director of Five Star Imports Ltd) unloading the goods and moving the drug filled cans to a separate vehicle. Brooks was arrested as he attempted to leave the premises. When HMRC officers examined the tins labelled 'Tuna Sucre', they found 1044 of the 26,000 tins were filled with cocaine instead of fish.

Graham Honey, HMRC Assistant Chief Investigation Officer said:

"This was a sophisticated attempt to smuggle a large amount of cocaine into the UK. Working alongside the National Crime squad, we have succeeded in stopping over £4 million worth of drugs reaching our streets. The criminality surrounding class A drugs can devastate communities. We are committed to reducing the harm caused by drugs and disrupting the criminal gangs who seek to profit from it. The sentence handed down by the court should act as a deterrent to those involved in drug trafficking."

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

Notes for editors

1. ROY BROOKS: (DOB 12.2.1963) of 32 Flintmill Crescent, Kidbrooke London SE3 was sentenced to 20 years, a second man arrested at the same time was acquitted.

2. The shipment of tuna containing cocaine arrived in the UK on 20 October 2005 and was consigned to Five Star Imports Ltd of Unit 10 New Lyndenburg Commercial Estate, London SE7.

3. Photographs are available on request.

4. 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.

Customs Confidential Hotline Tel: 0800 59 5000

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office

Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk