14 YEARS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE DRUG SMUGGLER

12 Jan 2001 12:00 AM

Today 12 January 2001 Thomas CONWAY (48) of 13 Russell Avenue, North Hykeham, Lincoln was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court for the attempted importation of 5.08 Kgs Heroin, estimated street value #929,587.

CONWAY was intercepted by Customs Officers at the Inward Controls, Dover Eastern Docks on 16 July 2000. A search of the vehicle revealed a false bulkhead containing the drugs behind the rear seat of the car. One other person and 2 young children also travelling in the car were released.

Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo said:

''The detection of drugs, particularly class A drugs such as Heroin, and the prosecution of the people who import them is an integral part of the Government''s Drugs Strategy to reduce the availability of drugs on our streets.

''We are determined to crack down on this illegal trade and to stop the damage it inflicts on individuals and on society.''

Ends

Notes for editors

1. Each 1 Kg of drug seized prevents 5,000 deals on the street. 2. Maximum penalty of attempted importation of a Class A drug is life, a fine or both.

Issued by Customs and Excise South East

For further information, please contact:

Nigel Knott 01304 224399 E-mail: nigel.knott@hmce.gov.uk

Dover Collection Co-ordination Unit (24 hours) (01304) 215639.

HM Customs & Excise www.hmce.gov.uk

News release

FOR THE ATTENTION OF NEWS DESKS

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Call Customs Confidential 24 hours a day on 0800 59 5000