LORRY DRIVER JAILED FOR IMPORTING 68 KILOS OF COCAINE

1 Aug 2005 05:15 PM

A British lorry driver has been jailed for 18 years, after attempting to import 68 kilograms of cocaine through the Port of Dover.

Bruce Kaye, 51, was found guilty on Monday 25 July after a 4 day trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

HMRC Investigator Chris Ballard said:
"HMRC officers have prevented a large amount of cocaine from hitting the streets in the UK. We are determined to carry on the fight against those willing to try and evade our controls, I hope that the long sentence meted out will act as a deterrent."

The drugs, with an estimated street value of £4.5 million, were discovered wrapped inside pillowcases concealed within a cargo of ventilation fans. Kaye was driving an HGV lorry that travelled to the UK through Barcelona. He was arrested on 18 July 2004 at the Eastern Docks in Dover.

This case was prosecuted by the newly established Revenue and 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 & Wales.

Notes for editors
1. Details: Name - Bruce William Kaye.
Age - 51
Address - Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

2. The drugs were hidden inside pillowcases, which were placed around the fans at the front of the load, behind the cab. One of the packages was tested on site and found to contain Cocaine Hydrochloride. This is contrary to section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

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.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Media Relations Team
Website www.hmrc.gov.uk