SEVEN CHARGED IN £8M COCAINE IMPORT ATTEMPT

9 Jun 2003 05:45 PM

Six men were charged yesterday with attempting to import 120 kilos of cocaine into the UK following a joint operation on 07 June between mobile teams of Customs officers, armed officers from the National Crime Squad and Gwent Police.

Those charged in connection with the cocaine seizure are:

Anthony Junior CHAMBERS of Newport, Gwent, South Wales.

Lebert Anthony BARROWS of St. Elizabeth, Bethsalem, Jamaica.

Michael SILCOX of Gwent, South Wales.

Gerald DAVIES of Llantrissant, South Wales.

Mohammed Afzal SHAHEEN of Pontypool, South Wales.

Milton WILSON of Newport, Gwent, South Wales.

A further person was also charged today:
Joseph SALMON of Newport, South Wales.

All seven were held in Customs custody at Maindee Police Station, Newport, South Wales and appeared today at Caerphilly Magistrates Court. They have all been remanded in custody and will appear at Caerphilly Magistrates Court again on 16 June 2003.

Notes for editors

1. The text of an earlier press release (Nr37/03) relating to these arrests can be found at www.gnn.gov.uk

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