'COCAINE IN ROBES' MAN JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS

24 Aug 2005 02:45 PM

A Ghanaian national was today, (Tuesday), jailed for five years at Edinburgh High Court after pleading guilty to the importation of cocaine concealed in embroidered robes.

Charles OWUSU-BOAMAH was arrested at Edinburgh airport on 26 February 2005, after an examination of his baggage by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) staff revealed 12 African robes, which had the Class A drug concealed within the embroidery at the neck. Tests later established that the three kilos of cocaine had a purity of over 70% with an estimated street value of £150,000.

HMRC Head of Investigation Scotland Gordon Miller said:

"HMRC investigators and detection officers at Scotland's airports and ports are determined to stop Class A drugs reaching our streets. This case and other similar cases show HMRCs' commitment to reduce the availability of harmful drugs in Scotland".

"There have been a number of similar seizures throughout the UK and this is the second seizure at a Scottish airport in recent months. Today's case sends another significant warning to anyone tempted to smuggle drugs. HMRC officers continue to work flexibly with the police and other agencies across Scotland to protect our communities by investigating, prosecuting and removing the financial benefits from individuals or organisations involved in the illegal importation of drugs."

"If you know of any suspicious activities which may be linked to drug smuggling, call our 24-hour freephone 0800 59 5000."

OWUSU-BOAMAH, 40, a Birmingham resident at the time of the seizure, had flown from Accra in Ghana via Amsterdam to Edinburgh.

This is the second conviction for attempting to smuggle cocaine into Scotland in embroidered robes. In May this year, Nana Nimoh OWUSU-ANSAH was jailed for five and a half years at Glasgow High Court after pleading guilty to the attempted importation of four kilos of cocaine through Glasgow Airport.

Notes for editors

1. HM Revenue & Customs are the lead agency in the Government's strategy to reduce the availability of Class A Drugs. We focus on Class A drugs - the drugs that cause the most harm to Britain, in line with the Government's drugs strategy.

2. We work alongside our partners, including the police to share intelligence and enforcement tactics and ensure a clear, strategic direction. We lead the CIDA (Concerted Inter-agency Drugs Action group) response to reducing drug supply whose aim is to reduce the harm caused by drugs through having a sustained impact on supply of Class A drugs to the UK and availability within our communities.

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