Jail for mephedrone drugs traffickers
21 Jun 2013 02:03 PM
Two men have today been sentenced for their part in a conspiracy to import mephedrone into the UK. Andrew Kirkpatrick from Co Tyrone and Dylan Durnien from Co Fermanagh conspired to traffic 15 kg of the class B drug from China via international courier service over a 17-month period.
Sitting in Dungannon Crown Court, HHJ Miller said: “Kirkpatrick played a leading role and his intention to exploit the drugs market must be viewed as cynical and unforgivable.”
The SOCA investigation began in September 2011 after intelligence showed Kirkpatrick and his ‘lieutenant’ Durnien were operating as a UK ‘hub’ for importing mephedrone for onward distribution. SOCA’s operation found that the pair, in an attempt to disguise their illegal activity, imported the drug in 1kg to 5kg parcels hidden in boxes labelled “metal corrosion inhibitors.”
Kirkpatrick advertised the drug on the internet for between £13 and £20 per gram, depending on whether customers ordered 1g, 5g, 14, or 28g. He purchased the drug wholesale for £3,400kg per kilogram.
When Kirkpatrick was arrested, SOCA officers seized computers and phones. Communications data showed email traffic between Kirkpatrick and Durnien and their supplier in China. One of many deleted email files on Kirkpatrick’s computer said: “I’m not really satisfied with the Mt methylone I give out approx 30grams and my customers get me feedback wanting the Mp Mephedrone.”
Last month, both men pleaded guilty; Kirkpatrick to conspiracy to import Class B drugs and two counts of money laundering between January 2010 and October 2011 and Durnien to conspiracy to import Class B drugs.
SOCA’s Operations Manager John Costley said: “Kirkpatrick and Durnien trafficked drugs to make profit. They had no consideration for the impact it had on their community. Drugs ruin the lives of individuals and families and criminals should take note that SOCA and its partners, both here in the UK and internationally, will stop you and bring you before the courts.”
The Judge also granted a Serious Crime Prevention Order against Kirkpatrick to run for three years. This will come into effect on his release from prison. Conditions include: no pre paid credit cards; one savings and one current bank account; one phone and one computer and no importations from outside the UK.
In 2012 a third man, 28-year-old Richard Smyth from Antrim, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for his part in trafficking mephedrone into the UK.
He had pleaded guilty to importing 26kg of the drug from China by courier service over an 18-month period. When Smyth was arrested SOCA officers seized 12kg of mephedrone, two computers, seven mobile phones, boxes of silver foils, £5,000 in cash and 7kg of creatine.
SOCA is leading the UK side of an international operation targeting organised crime groups importing mephedrone into European hubs for onward distribution.
Other partners include the US DEA and Europol.
Notes to Editors:
Andrew Kirkpatrick , 14.11.89, Clabby Road Fivemiletown sentenced to 2 years 8 months for conspiracy to import Class B drugs and 2 years each for two counts of money laundering to run concurrent.
Dylan Durnien, 24.04.90, Cherryhill, Lisnaskea. sentenced to 1 year for conspiracy to import Class B drugs.
Richard Alexis Smyth, Greenvale Manor Gardens, Antrim, DOB: 05/07/84, sentenced to 3 years 6 months at Belfast Crown Court in November 2012.