Irish horsebox smugglers jailed for 34 years

8 Dec 2006 12:45 PM

Two men from Sligo in Ireland were jailed for a total of 34 years at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty of smuggling 25kg heroin and 600kg cannabis resin into the UK. The drugs have an estimated street value of £2.6 million.

Chris Ballard, Assistant Chief Investigation Officer for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said:
"HM Revenue & Customs is working at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK and to reduce the associated harm to our communities. We aim to protect society from this activity wherever we detect it. The sentences handed down by the court will act as a deterrent to those involved in drug trafficking and clearly shows that crime doesn't pay."

The court heard that on 28 March 2006 an Irish registered horsebox vehicle driven by Vincent Sweeney with passenger Robert McGowan was intercepted by Customs Officers at Eastern Docks in Dover. During a search of the bulkhead between the grooming compartment and horse compartment, a concealment was discovered. This was found to contain 25kg heroin and 600kg cannabis resin. Sweeney and McGowan were arrested and formally charged with attempting to import a controlled drug, contrary to Section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

In passing sentence, Her Honour Judge Adele Williams said "Those who import heroin into this country deserve no mercy. Cannabis causes considerable harm to people's lives and people who import these drugs play with high stakes." In respect of McGowan she said that he was "by no means the courier - he is part of the organisation." And in respect of Sweeney she said that he was "a weak man who joined the enterprise due to his expertise with horses."

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & 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. Robert McGowan, DOB 29/10/68, of Sligo, Eire. Jailed for 18 years.

2. Vincent Gerard Sweeney, DOB 07/05/62, of Sligo, Eire. Jailed for 16 years.

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

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website www.hmrc.gov.uk