MORE COCAINE SEIZED AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT

23 Jul 2004 03:45 PM

Customs officers at Manchester airport have seized six kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 330,000. A man was arrested and charged last night with attempted drug importation and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Andrew Cockerill, 43, a mechanic, had flown into Manchester from Venezuela yesterday morning. Cockerill (dob 2/6/61) is a South African resident holding a UK passport.

Customs Head of Detection North West Jeremy Lee said:

"For the second time this week, the continued vigilance of Customs officers at Manchester airport has prevented a consignment of harmful drugs reaching the UK's streets. This highlights our commitment to helping reduce the availability of Class A drugs.

"If you know of any suspicious activities that may be linked to drug smuggling, please call Customs' 24-hour confidential freephone on 0800 59 5000, write to Freepost SEA9391, PO Box 100, DA12 2BR or e-mail customs.confidential@hmce.gsi.gov.uk."

On Wednesday 21 July, Customs seized cocaine with an estimated street value of 165,000 at Manchester airport when Brett Damon Coupe (dob 9/9/76), unemployed, of 12 Springbank Crescent, Leeds Road, Huddersfield, was charged with attempting to import three kilos of the Class A drug into the UK. This brings the total value of cocaine seizures so far this week at Manchester airport to nearly 500,000.

Note for editors
HM Customs and Excise is the lead agency in the Government Strategy to reduce the availability of Class A drugs on the streets.

If using specific facts contained in this release please check the information is still current.

For the attention of News Desks
Anyone with information about illegally imported drugs, tobacco or alcohol or about VAT or fuel fraud can speak to a Customs officer in complete confidence at Customs Confidential 24 hours a day on 0800 59 5000. Or fax 0800 528 0506, write to Freepost SEA9391, PO Box 100, DA12 2BR, or e-mail customs.confidential@hmce.gsi.gov.uk www.hmce.gov.uk