Birkenhead drugs smuggler jailed for 14 years

2 Oct 2006 02:15 PM

A 45-year old Wirral man was sentenced to over 14 years imprisonment for drug smuggling offences last week. Frank Kenny was part of a gang originally identified by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigators back in 2003.

Chris Ballard, HMRC Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, said:

"This case has effectively removed a major drugs importation ring, including the Dutch supplier, the courier, the minder and those involved in the UK arm of the operation. We know these men made multiple trips across the Channel for the specific purpose of smuggling Class A drugs. The drugs were clearly destined for the north west region. The whole gang are now serving jail sentences totalling 113 years for smuggling and other serious offences. If anyone has any information relating to this type of crime they should call our 24-hour confidential line on 0800 59 5000."

Despite absconding during the original investigation Kenny was finally arrested in Liverpool on 25 November 2005 by Merseyside Police in relation to a firearms offence and was re-arrested for the smuggling on 5 December 2005 at HM Prison Liverpool. He was linked by forensic and phone evidence after two gang members were stopped at Customs checks driving a van hired from a Birkenhead company in July 2003. During searches the van was found to contain over 13 kilos of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, with a street value of approximately £783,000, hidden amongst wine and beer.

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. Frank Kenny (dob 27/03/61) of no fixed abode but known to have connections with Birkenhead and Liverpool changed his plea to guilty at Canterbury Crown Court last week and was sentenced on 26 September 2006. He was sentenced to 14 years 22 days imprisonment made up of: eight years concurrent for two drugs importation charges; five years concurrent for a firearms offence; and one year 22 days were added for re-offending whilst on licence from a previous drugs sentence.

2. Other gang members are: Ian Painter, of Oxton, Birkenhead, unemployed, who was found guilty in September 2004 for importing approximately 12 kilos of cocaine through Dover and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, Stephen Hamill, a security guard, from Huyton, Knowsley, pleaded guilty to the same offence at an earlier hearing in March 2004, and was sentenced to 10 years and Andrew Shacklady, of Leyland, Lancashire was sentenced to a total of 74 years imprisonment for murder and other drugs related offences in July 2004 during a joint Lancashire and Suffolk Police investigation. This prosecution occurred before he stood trial for the smuggling offences which now lie on file.

3. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 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. For further information please contact their press office on 020 7865 5666.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office Team

Customs Confidential 24-hour hotline 0800 59 5000

Website www.hmrc.gov.uk