News
Cocaine seized at Belfast International airport
Date Posted: Monday 01 September 2008
Following investigations by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers, a Nigerian man was charged overnight with attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK and will appear before Antrim Magistrates Court later today.
Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) arrested David Ugochukwu (30) from Co Cork in connection with a seizure of Class A drugs, at Belfast International Airport last Wednesday (27 August).
Ugochukwu, who was travelling on an Irish passport, was intercepted by UKBA officers on his arrival at Belfast on a flight from Amsterdam. A total of 46 small packages were seized, containing what is estimated to be around 500 grammes of cocaine.
John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said:
"Drug smuggling is a very serious offence that has a significant and damaging effect on all our communities, and multi-agency co-operation plays a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK. We will do everything in our power to disrupt those plying this vile trade and I would urge anyone with any information on any illegal activity to telephone our 24 hour Customs hotline on 0800 59 5000."
Maggie Eyden, Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland added:
"UKBA, working in partnership with HMRC, are at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK. Our commitment is to do everything we can to stop this deadly trade, to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and protect our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs."
The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be £20,000 depending upon purity.
Notes to editors:
- David Ugochukwu (dob 14/03/1978) 74, Blarney St. Cork, Republic of Ireland will appear at Antrim Magistrates Court today (Monday 1 September).
- He was charged with the evasion or attempted evasion on the prohibition of importation of a Class A drug, namely cocaine, under Section 3 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to section 170 (2) of the Customs & Excise Management Act 1978.
- The UK Border Agency began operation on 3 April 2008 and was officially launched by the Home Secretary at Gatwick Airport. Its formation was announced in November 2007 (Home Office Press Notice no. 178/2007). The Lead Official for UK/BA in Northern Ireland is Maggie Eyden.
