DRUG SMUGGLERS JAILED FOR 58 YEARS

20 Mar 2003 02:45 PM

Today at Croydon Crown Court five people were sentenced to a total of 58 years imprisonment for the importation of 14.815 kgs cocaine at 100% purity, valued at £888,900 through Gatwick Airport.

On 8th August 2002 Barrington Lloyd SMITH and Karl Anthony PROUDLY travelled back from a "holiday" in Antigua. On the same flight Fernando RODRIGUEZ travelled with Maria Marcelina DUQUE. When Customs officers spoke to them they were found to be carrying cocaine strapped to their bodies.

Officers identified Sehon Antonio Logan and Errol Lou Deer outside on the public concourse as waiting for the couriers; they were also arrested.

Following a series of interviews all 6 were charged with smuggling cocaine. A further quantity of cocaine was later found hidden behind a panel in the aircraft toilets, with Smith's fingerprints on the wrappings.

SMITH, PROUDLY, RODRIGUEZ and DUQUE all pleaded guilty to smuggling 14.815 kgs cocaine, from Antigua to the UK.

LOGAN and DEER pleaded guilty to assisting with the smuggling attempt at Gatwick Airport.

Today (Thursday 20th April) the following defendants were sentenced: - Smith received 10 years imprisonment
- Rodrigue received 12 years imprisonment
- Duque received 8 years imprisonment
- Logan and Deer each received 14 years imprisonment
- Proudly will be sentenced on Friday 28th March

Duncan Honeyman, a Senior Customs Investigation Officer said "We're very pleased with the sentences imposed, it sends a strong message that trying to make money through drug smuggling is not an easy option. The successful conclusion to the case was achieved as the result of the high quality investigation and case preparation, conducted by the Investigation Officers from HM Customs & Excise. This is another example of the continuing efforts to reduce the amount of cocaine entering the UK from the Caribbean area."

His Honour Judge Waller ordered restrictions on travel for 4 years after the completion of their sentences for all those living in the UK.

Notes for editors
1. Details of Defendants details are:-
- Barrington Lloyd SMITH (39) unemployed of 20, Whittaker Street, Normanton, Derby
- Karl Anthony PROUDLY (34) unemployed of 15 Tavistock Road, Croydon - Fernando RODRIGUEZ (33) a Spanish national
- Maria Marcelina DUQUE (39) unemployed of 31 Deauville Mansions, Clapham, London
- Sehon Antonio Logan (27) unemployed, a Jamaican national - Errol Lou DEER (27) unemployed, a Jamaican national

2. Sehon Antonio Logan, whilst a Jamaican national has right of residence in the UK

Issued by HM Customs and Excise 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