London Based Teenage Drug Smuggler Jailed for 5-1/2 Years

A London based teenager was jailed for five years and six months at Croydon Crown Court for attempting to smuggle 1.5K of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £247,000 into the UK through Gatwick Airport.

Carly Plunkett (19) was stopped by officers of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) coming back from a holiday in Banjul, Gambia. Plunkett was questioned by Customs officers who then searched her luggage and found the cocaine hidden at the back. She was arrested and charged with the illegal Importation of controlled drugs.

Paul Stevenson, HMRC Senior Business Manager, at Gatwick Airport, said:

“Cases such as this should be a warning to anyone that drugs destroy lives; whether you are a user or a trafficker you are gambling with your life if you meddle in the drug trade. The use of such young people in the smuggling of drugs demonstrates the ruthless nature of those criminal gangs involved in the illegal narcotics trade. These gangs are merciless and are more than happy to sacrifice the lives and liberty of young people in order to enrich themselves with total disregard for the misery they cause.

“The work of UK Borders Agency Officers in intelligence and detection is paramount in smashing drug supply routes to the UK thus preventing deadly drugs from reaching the streets of our towns and cities”.

The case was prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) which was created by Royal Assent on 07 April 2005 and is an independent prosecuting authority reporting directly to the Attorney General.

Source: HM Revenue & Customs

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