Philip Tasker, 43, and Darren Hunter, 41, were jailed for 18 and 13 years respectively at Canterbury Crown Court. They were sentenced following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers.
Tasker was stopped, returning from Belgium, by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers at Dover on 17 October 2008. Officers searched the van and discovered 126 packages, which tested positive for heroin. He was arrested and charged but denied all knowledge of the drugs, saying he was simply bringing back “dodgy” bacon. He was found guilty and jailed on 1 October 2009 following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
Further investigations by HMRC officers led to the arrest of Hunter, who has two previous convictions for drug smuggling offences, and had masterminded Tasker’s trip to Belgium to smuggle the heroin into the UK. He was arrested outside his Merseyside home on 13 January 2009. He pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on 23 March 2009 and was sentenced today.
Malcolm Bragg, HMRC Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation, said:
“This attempt to disguise heroin as a load of bacon didn’t fool detection officers and investigators, who once again showed their determination to bring criminals to justice. This dangerous Class A drug devastates lives and communities, as it is always linked to wider criminality. HMRC investigators and their UKBA colleagues are determined to stop drugs reaching the UK streets. Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods or other illegal activities should contact HMRC’s 24 hour hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Confiscation proceedings are in place to secure the proceeds of this crime for the public purse.
Notes to editors
1. Philip Benjamin Tasker (date of birth 07/01/66), a self employed gardener, of Saunders Street, Southport, Merseyside, was arrested at Dover Eastern Docks on 17 October 2008. He was found guilty following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced to 18 years on 1 October 2009.
2. Darren John Hunter (date of birth 11/03/68) unemployed, of Kew Road, Southport, Merseyside, was arrested on 13 January 2009. He pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on 23 March 2009 and was sentenced to 13 years on 27 October 2009.
3. Darren John Hunter and Philip Tasker were charged together with being knowingly concerned with the importation of a controlled drug under Section 3 (1) the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to section 170 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.
4. The weight of the heroin seized was 62.62 kilos. Forensic tests showed that 24.11 kilos were at 100% purity.
5. To report information related to smuggling the public can contact the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and help protect local communities.
6. The case was prepared for prosecution by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO was created by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General and is responsible for prosecuting cases for HMRC and SOCA. It prosecutes some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK. For further information about RCPO, please contact their press office on 020 7147 7746 or visit www.rcpo.gov.uk.
7. To view the documents associated with this release, please use the following link:
7
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
NAT 73/09
Press enquiries only please contact: