Menu
24/07/2006
Colombian cocaine gang jailed for 57 years
A Colombian cocaine gang living in London have been jailed for a total of 57 years at Southwark Crown Court.
The gang of three men and two women were convicted of harbouring 108 kilos of cocaine worth £7.2 million.
Six people had originally been charged with harbouring a controlled drug. Two men - Alexander Anoyave Agudelo, 30, from Tottenham and Hector Fabio Correa Rios, 31, from Stoke Newington - pleaded guilty to the charge, while another man and two women - Victor Maurizio Gonzalez Justinico, 26, from Finchley, Liliana Andrea Garces-Rossero, 31, from Palmers Green and Omaira Zuluaga Giraldo, 32, from Stoke Newington - were found guilty following a six-week long trial in April.
A fourth man was acquitted.
At sentencing on Friday, Justinico was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment, Garces-Rossero was sentenced to 17 years, Agudelo was sentenced to 12 years and Giraldo was sentenced to 7 years. Sentencing of Rios was adjourned until a later date.
The court heard that, following a surveillance operation in April 2005, the defendants were arrested after customs officers stopped a car driven by Agudelo in Stoke Newington.
Around 25 kilos of cocaine, contained in two holdalls, were found during a search of the vehicle. The customs officers then went to a flat in Heather Lodge, St Kilda's Road, Stoke Newington and recovered a further 83 kilos of cocaine.
Commenting on the convictions, Clive Davis, HM Revenue & Customs Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, said: "This is the successful culmination of an investigation into the importation of cocaine into the UK from South America. HM Revenue & Customs is committed to reducing the availability of Class A drugs by detecting and deterring the smuggling of illegal drugs and other restricted and prohibited goods.
"We have succeeded in stopping over £7 million worth of drugs reaching our streets. The criminality surrounding Class A drugs can devastate communities. We will reduce the harm caused by drugs, taking out cocaine and heroin targeted on the UK, and disrupting the criminal gangs who seek to profit from it."
(KMcA/SP)
The gang of three men and two women were convicted of harbouring 108 kilos of cocaine worth £7.2 million.
Six people had originally been charged with harbouring a controlled drug. Two men - Alexander Anoyave Agudelo, 30, from Tottenham and Hector Fabio Correa Rios, 31, from Stoke Newington - pleaded guilty to the charge, while another man and two women - Victor Maurizio Gonzalez Justinico, 26, from Finchley, Liliana Andrea Garces-Rossero, 31, from Palmers Green and Omaira Zuluaga Giraldo, 32, from Stoke Newington - were found guilty following a six-week long trial in April.
A fourth man was acquitted.
At sentencing on Friday, Justinico was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment, Garces-Rossero was sentenced to 17 years, Agudelo was sentenced to 12 years and Giraldo was sentenced to 7 years. Sentencing of Rios was adjourned until a later date.
The court heard that, following a surveillance operation in April 2005, the defendants were arrested after customs officers stopped a car driven by Agudelo in Stoke Newington.
Around 25 kilos of cocaine, contained in two holdalls, were found during a search of the vehicle. The customs officers then went to a flat in Heather Lodge, St Kilda's Road, Stoke Newington and recovered a further 83 kilos of cocaine.
Commenting on the convictions, Clive Davis, HM Revenue & Customs Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, said: "This is the successful culmination of an investigation into the importation of cocaine into the UK from South America. HM Revenue & Customs is committed to reducing the availability of Class A drugs by detecting and deterring the smuggling of illegal drugs and other restricted and prohibited goods.
"We have succeeded in stopping over £7 million worth of drugs reaching our streets. The criminality surrounding Class A drugs can devastate communities. We will reduce the harm caused by drugs, taking out cocaine and heroin targeted on the UK, and disrupting the criminal gangs who seek to profit from it."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 May 2009
Leeds Drug Dealer Jailed For Two Years
A Leeds drug dealer who was caught by neighbourhood policing officers with 66 'wraps' of heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed for two years. Brendan McGibbon, aged 26, of Chapel Lane, Headingley, admitted possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
Leeds Drug Dealer Jailed For Two Years
A Leeds drug dealer who was caught by neighbourhood policing officers with 66 'wraps' of heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed for two years. Brendan McGibbon, aged 26, of Chapel Lane, Headingley, admitted possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
17 September 2004
Court imposes lengthy sentences on drug smugglers
Hefty sentences totalling 31.5 years were handed down to one man and two women convicted of drug smuggling charges today at Manchester Crown Court. Rodcliffe Burns Smith, 35, of Rowley Regis was jailed for nine years for cocaine smuggling and two years for cannabis smuggling.
Court imposes lengthy sentences on drug smugglers
Hefty sentences totalling 31.5 years were handed down to one man and two women convicted of drug smuggling charges today at Manchester Crown Court. Rodcliffe Burns Smith, 35, of Rowley Regis was jailed for nine years for cocaine smuggling and two years for cannabis smuggling.
04 December 2008
Adverts To Warn Of Dangers Of Cocaine
A new hard-hitting £1 million TV and online FRANK advertising campaign which shows the dangers of cocaine use was unveiled today by the Government. The campaign is centred on "Pablo the drug mule dog", who died as he was being used to smuggle cocaine into the country.
Adverts To Warn Of Dangers Of Cocaine
A new hard-hitting £1 million TV and online FRANK advertising campaign which shows the dangers of cocaine use was unveiled today by the Government. The campaign is centred on "Pablo the drug mule dog", who died as he was being used to smuggle cocaine into the country.
02 October 2015
Man Jailed Over False Kidnap Claim
A man who claimed to have been kidnapped and demanded a ransom from his partner to secure his release has been jailed. Police were contacted by the distressed partner of Paresh Savji Devraj, who reported that he had been kidnapped and that he would be beaten and killed if she didn't pay £1,000.
Man Jailed Over False Kidnap Claim
A man who claimed to have been kidnapped and demanded a ransom from his partner to secure his release has been jailed. Police were contacted by the distressed partner of Paresh Savji Devraj, who reported that he had been kidnapped and that he would be beaten and killed if she didn't pay £1,000.
15 May 2015
New Test Developed To Detect Cocaine Use Through A Fingerprint
A new test has been developed that can detect cocaine use through a fingerprint, according to research published in the journal Analyst.
New Test Developed To Detect Cocaine Use Through A Fingerprint
A new test has been developed that can detect cocaine use through a fingerprint, according to research published in the journal Analyst.
-
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.
