THREE MEN CHARGED AFTER CUSTOMS SEIZE 200 KILOS OF COCAINE

23 Dec 2003 04:15 PM

Three men were charged late last night with the alleged importation of a Class A drug following the seizure of £5.5 million of cocaine by Customs Law Enforcement officers in Dagenham, East London yesterday.

Those charged were:
Asad Javid, 1 Weald House, Woodland Way, Woodford Green, Essex Altaf Haysun, 58 Queens Road, Leytonstone
Mahmoon Khan, 51 Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone.

All three men appeared before Thames Magistrates Court today and have been remanded in custody until 30 December.

Notes for editors

1. The text of the original news release issued yesterday is as follows: "A Customs surveillance investigation, that began 12 months ago, today resulted in the seizure of approximately 200 kilos of cocaine in Dagenham, East London.

More than twenty Customs Law Enforcement Officers, assisted by members of the Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit SO19, seized £5.5 million worth of cocaine this afternoon and arrested three men.

It is believed that the cocaine had arrived into the UK from the Continent.

Steve Coates, Customs Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, said:

"Customs has once again prevented a substantial amount of cocaine from hitting the streets of the UK. We will continue to target and combat, through intelligence and sophisticated technology, the criminal masterminds behind these drug-trafficking networks."

Enquiries are continuing."

Issued by HM Customs and Excise Marketing & Communications Division

Anyone with information about illegally imported drugs, tobacco or alcohol or about VAT fraud can speak to a Customs officer in complete confidence. Call Customs Confidential 24 hours a day on 0800 59 5000 www.hmce.gov.uk