Menu
21/10/2015
Man Charged Over Airfield Cocaine Seizure
A 38-year-old man has been charged in connection with the seizure of seven kilos of cocaine at a North Yorkshire airfield.
Dean Ash, from Links Road, Acton, London, was arrested at Bagby Airfield near Thirsk on Sunday 18 October.
Border Force officers had attended the site to meet a light aircraft that had recently arrived from the Netherlands. They recovered around seven kilos of cocaine.
Following the seizure the investigation was handed to the National Crime Agency.
Ash appeared before Leeds Magistrates on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody to appear before Leeds Crown Court on 03 November.
Paul Tallentire, from the NCA's north east border investigation team, said: "This was a substantial seizure of cocaine which if cut and sold in the UK would have had a likely potential street value in excess of £1 million.
"Our investigation into this attempted importation is ongoing and I would urge anyone with information regarding suspicious movements in or around UK airfields to get in touch, either by calling the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
"Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force and North Yorkshire Police we are determined to do all we can to prevent small airfields being used for criminal purposes."
Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Border Force Yorkshire & Humber, added: "By thwarting this smuggling attempt we have stopped a sizeable amount of cocaine making it onto the streets of the UK.
"Seizures like this demonstrate how Border Force officers are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the country."
Last year Border Force, the NCA and UK police forces launched Project Pegasus, a multi-agency campaign encouraging people living and working close to small airports to report unusual activity associated with general aviation. General aviation includes aircraft such as microlights, helicopters, and business jets, and activities such as aerial surveys, deliveries, corporate flights and leisure flying.
(MH/CD)
Dean Ash, from Links Road, Acton, London, was arrested at Bagby Airfield near Thirsk on Sunday 18 October.
Border Force officers had attended the site to meet a light aircraft that had recently arrived from the Netherlands. They recovered around seven kilos of cocaine.
Following the seizure the investigation was handed to the National Crime Agency.
Ash appeared before Leeds Magistrates on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody to appear before Leeds Crown Court on 03 November.
Paul Tallentire, from the NCA's north east border investigation team, said: "This was a substantial seizure of cocaine which if cut and sold in the UK would have had a likely potential street value in excess of £1 million.
"Our investigation into this attempted importation is ongoing and I would urge anyone with information regarding suspicious movements in or around UK airfields to get in touch, either by calling the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
"Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force and North Yorkshire Police we are determined to do all we can to prevent small airfields being used for criminal purposes."
Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Border Force Yorkshire & Humber, added: "By thwarting this smuggling attempt we have stopped a sizeable amount of cocaine making it onto the streets of the UK.
"Seizures like this demonstrate how Border Force officers are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the country."
Last year Border Force, the NCA and UK police forces launched Project Pegasus, a multi-agency campaign encouraging people living and working close to small airports to report unusual activity associated with general aviation. General aviation includes aircraft such as microlights, helicopters, and business jets, and activities such as aerial surveys, deliveries, corporate flights and leisure flying.
(MH/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2015
More Than One Tonne Of Cannabis Uncovered At London Gateway
More than one tonne of cannabis has been discovered at London Gateway in a container that had arrived from Ghana earlier this month. Border Force officers uncovered the drugs in a container that was officially carrying corn husks and corn flour. It is understood that the cannabis was found in cardboard boxes hidden beneath the corn.
More Than One Tonne Of Cannabis Uncovered At London Gateway
More than one tonne of cannabis has been discovered at London Gateway in a container that had arrived from Ghana earlier this month. Border Force officers uncovered the drugs in a container that was officially carrying corn husks and corn flour. It is understood that the cannabis was found in cardboard boxes hidden beneath the corn.
01 May 2015
Cocaine Seized From Tug Boat 'UK Record'
Cocaine discovered on a tug boat in the North Sea is believed to be single biggest class A drug seizure on record in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has announced.
Cocaine Seized From Tug Boat 'UK Record'
Cocaine discovered on a tug boat in the North Sea is believed to be single biggest class A drug seizure on record in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has announced.
17 April 2012
Man Jailed For Smuggling Stun Guns
A man from Hampshire who attempted to smuggle 8 stun guns into the UK through Heathrow airport has been jailed for 20 months. Iain Charles Pitt, 43, of Freshwood Drive in Yateley, was stopped by border force officers as he passed through the customs channel at Heathrow terminal 3, after arriving on a flight from Bangkok on 10 January 2012.
Man Jailed For Smuggling Stun Guns
A man from Hampshire who attempted to smuggle 8 stun guns into the UK through Heathrow airport has been jailed for 20 months. Iain Charles Pitt, 43, of Freshwood Drive in Yateley, was stopped by border force officers as he passed through the customs channel at Heathrow terminal 3, after arriving on a flight from Bangkok on 10 January 2012.
03 August 2011
Largest Ever Cocaine Seizure Leads To Arrests
A record haul of cocaine seized by the UK Border Agency, working with SOCA and the Dutch National Crime Squad, has led to the arrest of six members of an international drugs ring. The 1.
Largest Ever Cocaine Seizure Leads To Arrests
A record haul of cocaine seized by the UK Border Agency, working with SOCA and the Dutch National Crime Squad, has led to the arrest of six members of an international drugs ring. The 1.
27 April 2015
Nine Arrested Over Drug Seizure On Tugboat
Nine men have been arrested in connection with cocaine found onboard an ocean-going tugboat in the North Sea. The National Crime Agency said that intelligence received led to a joint operation with Border Force and the Royal Navy, to intercept MV Hamal, around 100 miles off the coast of Aberdeenshire.
Nine Arrested Over Drug Seizure On Tugboat
Nine men have been arrested in connection with cocaine found onboard an ocean-going tugboat in the North Sea. The National Crime Agency said that intelligence received led to a joint operation with Border Force and the Royal Navy, to intercept MV Hamal, around 100 miles off the coast of Aberdeenshire.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
