Interesting Drugs Importation Success

R -v- B

Croydon Crown Court – 14 July 2010

Client attended court to stand trial on indictment containing one count – being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion on the prohibition on importation of a Class B drug contrary to S.170 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. Alleged client knowingly carried 14kg of cannabis (approx £40k worth) in her luggage from Jamaica to London Gatwick. She maintained she had no knowledge of the drugs and a third party must have put in bag without knowledge.

Client contended that she went through security checks twice in Jamaica prior to check-in and were no drugs in her case. Prior to start trial Crown produced a pocket book from English officer in Jamaica confirming this.

During course trial it came to light that there was a difference in weight of luggage at check-in Jamaica and upon arrival to Gatwick and therefore drugs must have been placed in case after check in. Submission no case to answer made after prosecution case on basis of weakness of prosecution case, namely that save for collecting her luggage the client had done nothing in furtherance of the importation. Her act in collecting her bag was an innocent act and the sole act the Crown relied on to prove case. Judge upheld submission and jury directed to find her Not Guilty.

Solicitor: Leila Rasool; Counsel: Mark Kimsey, head of Castle Chambers