Essex: Drug smugglers handed 15 years
TWO men have been sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail after attempting to smuggle more than £50,000 worth of heroin through Harwich.Scott Daniels, a student at Liverpool University, and Levaughan Pinnock, of Wisley Way, Birmingham, were handed terms of five and 10 years at Luton Crown Court yesterday for their part in a bid to bring a large quantity of the drug into the UK.
TWO men have been sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail after attempting to smuggle more than £50,000 worth of heroin through Harwich.
Scott Daniels, a student at Liverpool University, and Levaughan Pinnock, of Wisley Way, Birmingham, were handed terms of five and 10 years at Luton Crown Court yesterday for their part in a bid to bring a large quantity of the drug into the UK.
The court heard that Daniels, 21, was intercepted by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers at Harwich International Port on the November 26 last year 2006 driving a black BMW.
He claimed to have been visiting Amsterdam for a holiday but during a search two silver foil wrapped packages were found under the rear seat of the car.
In total officers recovered 1kg of heroin from the vehicle and further investigations by officers led to the arrest of Pinnock in Birmingham on March 19.
The court heard that Pinnock, 25, had organised and funded the trip. In sentencing the two men, Judge Davies said Pinnock had “charmed and entertained” Daniels into taking a free trip to Amsterdam.
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He said: “Daniels knew full well what he was doing, but took no responsibility for his actions. He and Pinnock profited from others addictions.”
The judge also said that credit should be given to Daniels for the information provided in interviews which lead to the conviction of Pinnock.
John Phillips, HMRC's acting head of criminal investigation at Ipswich, said if anyone had information about smuggling they could contact its 24-hour confidential line on 0800 59 5000.
