DUTCHMEN EACH GET 14 YEARS AFTER RECORD CANNABIS HAUL

12 Dec 2000 12:00 AM

Three Dutchmen were each jailed today for 14 years after one of the UK''s biggest ever seizures of cannabis at sea.

Cannabis resin with an estimated street value of #43 million was uncovered when Customs officers boarded the yacht ''Red Scorpion'' off the Aberdeen coast in June.

The 8.7 tonne haul - a Scottish record - was wrapped in 285 hessian bales, each one the weight of an average family suitcase (pictures available).

Albert Hulst, Christiaan Ekkebus and Arjeh Van Dijk - who were part of an international smuggling ring - pled guilty yesterday at Edinburgh High Court of trafficking the controlled drug.

In sentencing, Lord Hardie commended the skills of the Customs officers involved in the operation. He said: ''Your vigilance resulted in the removal of cannabis with a street value of #43m from the market. This pays tribute to the truly professional manner in which Customs officers carried out their public service.''

Customs Minister Dawn Primarolo, who is leading Government efforts to combat the supply of drugs to the UK, said the case showed the increasing effectiveness of Customs'' operational strategy.

She also highlighted the role played by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency and Grampian police in an operation which represents more than a fifth of the UK''s cannabis seizures this year.

She said: ''This is just one example of the way Customs are seriously disrupting the major criminals behind the drugs trade. In particular it highlights the skills of our cutter crews, whose vigilance in spotting a suspicious vessel led to a textbook boarding and seizure.

''It shows that there are no easy drugs routes around the remote British coastline. Whether using information received, undercover work or - as in this case - a routine patrol''s expertise, we will always keep the criminals guessing.

''We will continue to put pressure on drug traffickers at every point in the supply chain and to target the profits of their crimes. Working with our partners at home and abroad, this will help us make a major impact on the amount of drugs reaching the streets of Scotland.''

Pictures of seized drugs available from Ciaran Donnelly on 07836 636473.

THE CASE

On 21 June 2000 officers on board the Customs cutter ''Searcher'' spotted the Red Scorpion and were suspicious. The pleasure yacht was sailing just outside UK territorial waters in the Fair Isle Gap. When approached, the crew of the Red Scorpion stated that they had travelled from Bremerhaven in Germany and were returning to Germany. They confirmed that the boat was Maltese registered even though it was flying a German flag.

Officers were still suspicious of the Red Scorpion and Customs approached the Maltese authorities for permission to board the vessel, as it was in international waters. The Maltese authorities gave the go ahead and despite the failing light and severe weather conditions, officers from the Customs cutter ''Searcher'' boarded the Red Scorpion on 22 June, approximately 120 miles north-east of Aberdeen.

Once on board their suspicions were confirmed when they discovered what was later established to be 8690.02 kg (8.7 tonnes) of cannabis resin. The cannabis was packaged in 285 hessian bales, each one the weight of an average family suitcase.

The three Dutch crew were arrested on board the yacht and taken to Aberdeen harbour where they were interviewed and later charged by Customs investigators. They later appeared at court in Aberdeen over the largest seizure of cannabis ever in Scottish legal history.

Albert Hulst born 03/10/57, Arjeh Van Dijk, born 29/03/67 and Christiaan Ekkebus, born 24/05/71 - all resident in the Netherlands - pled guilty to being knowingly concerned in the carrying of a controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Act 1990, Section 19 (2)(B).

ends

For further information, please contact: Phil Rogers: 0131-469-7261/2. Out of hours: 0141-887-9369.

HM Customs & Excise www.hmce.gov.uk

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