CUSTOMS CRACKDOWN ON AIRPORT DRUG SMUGGLERS

11 Nov 2003 06:45 PM

Customs officers at Heathrow Airport have had major successes in cracking down on criminality among airport workers. In two separate cases, workers have received substantial custodial sentences for attempted drug smuggling.

Customs spokesperson, Shona Lowe, said

"This operation sends a clear and unequivocal message to the public that Customs will actively pursue and apprehend those airport workers who seek to abuse their positions of trust to carry out criminal activities.

The Courts have recognised the seriousness of these offences and praised the vigilance of Customs officers."

In the first case, Amarit Sian (19) an airline lounge host of Heston was handed a black rucksack by Lance Emerson Findlater (35), unemployed, of Wembley who had just arrived at Heathrow Airport on 3 March 2003 from Jamaica. The rucksack contained 7.53 kilos of cocaine with a street level value of over £565 000. Both were subsequently arrested.

Both appeared at Guildford Crown Court today (11th November) Findlater was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and Sian was sentenced to 10 years.

Upon passing sentence, His Honour Judge JJ Carter-Manning stated that this was a very, very serious offence and a substantial sentence was required. The attempt was carefully planned and executed and would have succeeded but for the vigilance of Customs Investigators.

In the second case, an air stewardess with Pakistan International Airways (PIA) arrived with the rest of her crew at Heathrow on 5 February 2003. Officers found 2.9 kilos of heroin hidden inside a bag of food. The drug has a street level value of £220 000.

Tayyaba Mirza (33) of Lahore appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday where she was sentenced to 12 years

Notes for editors
1. Findlater pleaded not guilty to the charge and Sian pleaded guilty

2. Cocaine and heroin are both class A drugs

3. Maximum penalty for class A drug smuggling is up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine

4. Air crew are subject to the same Customs controls as passengers

Anyone with information about illegally imported drugs, tobacco or alcohol or about VAT or fuel fraud; or anyone with information about businesses that break the tax laws, competing unfairly with those that abide by them can speak to a Customs officer in complete confidence. Call 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.

Issued by HM Customs and Excise Communications Division

For the attention of News Desks
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