AIRPORT CLEANER CHARGED AFTER CUSTOMS SEIZE 11 KILOS COCAINE

21 Apr 2004 06:45 PM

Two men have been remanded in custody by Haywards Heath magistrates today after Customs Officers seized approximately 11 kilos of cocaine at Gatwick Airport yesterday, Tuesday 20 April 2004.

The two men, who are charged with smuggling the cocaine into the UK, are:
David Graham, 39, an airport cleaner of 13 William Evan House, 30 Bush Road, Rotherhythe, London and Sabir Adewere Gbadesheremr Agboola, 27, of 6 Melrose House, Carlton Vale, Kilburn, London.

The arrests were made by Customs following the arrival of Agboola on a British Airways flight from Kingston, Jamaica early yesterday morning after a large quantity of cocaine was found in an airside toilet in the North Terminal.

Paul Stephenson, Head of Customs Operations at Gatwick said: "Customs continuing vigilance has prevented a large amount of cocaine from reaching its destination. We will continue to work to the Government's aim of reducing the availability of class 'A' drugs."

The cocaine has an estimated street value of 605,000.

Both men were remanded in custody for seven days and will appear again at Haywards Heath Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 April 2004 by video link.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. Cocaine is a class A drug.

2. HM Customs and Excise has the UK lead for reducing the availability of Class A drugs by detecting and deterring the smuggling of illegal drugs and other prohibited and restricted goods, and by disrupting/dismantling organised drug crime groups, and by the recovery of drug related criminal assets.

3. HM Customs and Excise law enforcement is intelligence-led, working with partners at home and abroad to tackle threats to the UK.

4. Customs has built a 21st century Customs Service to tackle 21st century crime. New tactics include stronger partnering with agencies at home and abroad, an intelligence-led approach, modern technology and flexible and mobile teams of officers who can be anywhere at any time.

Issued by HM Customs and Excise Marketing and 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