Lorry driver jailed for cannabis smuggling attempt
A lorry driver from Northern Ireland has been jailed for three years for cannabis smuggling
Counterweight with drugs
A 48-year-old man from Newry, County Down has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle approximately 107 kilos of cannabis resin into the UK.
The drugs had an estimated potential street value of over £300,000.
The Court heard that Border Force officers at Dover’s Eastern Docks stopped an Irish–registered lorry on 31 January 2011. After questioning the driver, Seamus Keenan, officers scanned the vehicle and its load of a dump truck and excavator spare parts including a counterweight.
The counterweight image was of interest and on further examination the drugs were found hidden inside.
Seamus Keenan was arrested and charged with the importation.
He pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on 11 July 12. He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 20 May 2013.
Malcolm Bragg, from Border Force said:
Border Force is at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK. We are determined to protect society from this activity which can have such a destructive impact on local communities as well as individuals.
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.
Seamus Alexander Keenan, 48, from Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland was charged with charged with being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion or attempted evasion of the prohibition on importation imposed by section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 contrary to section 170 (2)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.