69 YEARS FOR COCAINE SMUGGLING GANG

17 Jun 2005 02:45 PM

Six people, including a former Customs officer, were today jailed for a total of 69 years after pleading guilty to importing cocaine, following a successful HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigation.

Richard Riley, formerly a Customs employee at Gatwick airport, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to importing Class A Drugs and money laundering. He facilitated two couriers each carrying a suitcase containing a total of 31kgs of high purity cocaine through customs controls. The street value of the drugs is £2.4m. In addition, his wife, Marjorie Riley, pleaded guilty to money laundering offences and received 180 hours community punishment.

Steve Coates, Head of HMRC Criminal Investigation London said:

"We are extremely pleased with the sentences handed down. The smuggling of Class A drugs causes great social and economic harm and HMRC is committed to tackling this serious criminality wherever it is found. We take it extremely seriously that a Customs officer abused his position to help bring cocaine into the country. These lengthy jail sentences should serve as a deterrent to anyone considering involvement in such crimes."

The gang was arrested on 1 July 2004 following surveillance over a period of months. Steven Abrahamson and Kelly Little arrived at Gatwick from Margarita in Venezuela. Harline Young and Steven Dixon were awaiting their arrival on the public concourse. Richard Riley monitored the arrival of the couriers through immigration and into the baggage area where they collected their suitcases, containing the cocaine. On collection Riley ushered them through the green channel and allowed them to proceed into the public concourse.

Young, Dixon, Abrahamson, Little and Riley were then arrested by Customs Investigators. Peter Crosdale was arrested at his home for his role in masterminding the smuggling operation. Marjorie Riley was arrested at her place of employment.

His Honour Judge Pitt paid tribute to HMRC Officers who he said carried out a dangerous and difficult investigation and prepared the case with care and diligence.

This case was successfully prosecuted by the newly established Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases.

Notes for editors

1. Richard Riley, Crosdale, Young, Dixon, Abrahamson and Little were charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1979 to contravene S 170 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 in relation to the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of cocaine as imposed by Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1979.

2. Richard Riley was also charged and pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

3. Marjorie Riley was charged with and pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

4. The full details of those sentenced are:

Richard Nathaniel Riley (52) 15 years Imprisonment on two counts of conspiracy to run concurrently, plus 2 years for money laundering to run concurrently.

Occupation - Customs officer
Private address - Hunters Meadow, Dulwich Wood Avenue, London SE19

Peter Lloyd Crosdale (46) 15 years Imprisonment .
Occupation -Sound Engineer
Private address - Milling Road, London, HA8

Steven Abrahamson (30) 9-1/2 years Imprisonment.
Occupation - Unemployed
Private address - Kestral House, Alma Road, Enfield EN3

Kelly Anne Marie Little (25) 7-1/2 years Imprisonment. Occupation -Unemployed
Private address - Kestral House, Alma Road, Enfield EN3

Harline Decordova Young (41) 11-1/2 years Imprisonment. Occupation - Painter /Decorator
Private address- Halsemere Road, Northholt, Middlesex

Steven Anthony Dixon (36) 10-1/2 years Imprisonment.
Occupation - Builder
Private Address - Deacon Road, Dollis Hill, London

Marjorie Beverly Riley (51) 100 hours Community Punishment. Occupation - Social Worker Private address - Hunters Meadow, Dulwich Wood Avenue, London SE19

5. It is the stated policy of HM Revenue & Customs to pursue prosecution in ALL cases where an HMRC employee is involved in any way criminal. Such cases represent a breach of trust of the highest order and this is reflected in the severity of the sentences handed down by the judiciary.

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

7. 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 and Customs Media Relations

Website
www.hmrc.gov.uk

Customs Confidential Hotline
Tel: 0800 59 5000