HM REVENUE AND
CUSTOMS News Release (Ref:SE 16/08) issued by The Government News
Network on 11 July 2008
Sotiris Andreas
(50) and Pavlos Andronicou (61) were today sentenced at Canterbury
Crown Court after being found guilty of importing cocaine into the
UK. The 20 kilo concealment, of which 14.4 kilos were 100 per cent
pure, was detected by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Officers at
the Port of Dover. The haul has an estimated street-value of
£800,000. This value would have increased significantly when
'cut' by drug dealers.
British national, Sotiris Christos Andreas of Enfield was
sentenced to 14.5 years in jail. Cypriot national, Pavlos Petrou
Andronicou, also of Enfied, received a 19 year sentence.
Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Investigation Director, said:
"This conviction is the latest success for HMRC. Our
investigators, now working alongside detection officers from the
UK Border Agency (UKBA) at ports and airports, continue to play a
key role in protecting communities by reducing the availability of
drugs on UK streets.
"We will not hesitate to pursue those who commit this type
of offence so that they can be effectively prosecuted by the
Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). The sentence
handed down will serve as a deterrent to those contemplating this
serious form of criminality and clearly shows that crime
doesn't pay.
"If you know of any suspicious activities which may be
linked to drug smuggling, call our 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000
or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk"
The court heard that on 30 September 2007 Customs Officers
conducted a search of the vehicle Andreas was driving when he
arrived at Dover's Eastern Docks. The cocaine was discovered
in a false floor running the length of the vehicle.
Andronicou, who travelled in a separate vehicle, was arrested at
a later date.
Notes for editors
1. Sotiris Christos ANDREAS, (DOB 09/07/58), unemployed of Flat
16, 7 The Ridgeway, Enfield, EN2 8NX.
2. Pavlos Petrou ANDRONICOU, (DOB 26/03/47), currently serving
two and half years at HMP Belmarsh for cannabis importation, and
previously of 326 St Ann's Road, London.
3. Both were sentenced on a charge of being knowingly concerned
in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of a
class A drug - cocaine. As imposed by Section 3(1) of the Misuse
of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to Section 170(2) of the Customs and
Excise Management Act 1979.
4. In total the 20 kilos of cocaine have an estimated
street-value of £800,000. Of this, 14.4 kilos, at 100 per cent
purity, have an estimated street-value of £720,000.
5. 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 & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk