Friday 3 March 2023
National Crime Agency officers are re-iterating a warning to potential drug smugglers after three US nationals were jailed for attempting to bring cannabis into the UK.
The three, who all arrived on flights into Heathrow Airport from Los Angeles between the 13th and 15th of January this year, were
found by Border Force to be carrying suitcases laden with vacuum packed
packages of herbal cannabis.
Following an NCA investigation, they were charged
with importing class B drugs.
New Yorkers Ara Janneh, aged 25, and Madani BA
Junior, aged 23, and Sabrina Desiree Hobby, aged 29, from Texas, were handed
jail terms of between 12 and 26 months yesterday at Isleworth Crown
Court.
NCA Heathrow Branch Commander Andy Noyes said:
“The prison sentences handed out are the
consequence of foolish decisions made by people who either think, or have been
told, that they will get away with smuggling drugs into the UK.
“These attempts were largely unsophisticated, with
commercial amounts of cannabis carried unconcealed within large suitcases.
“All three individuals are now serving jail time
thousands of miles away from their friends and family, and I would urge anyone
considering smuggling cannabis into the UK to think twice.
“The NCA and our partners in Border Force are
targeting drugs couriers, and will continue to disrupt the crime groups
involved in drug trafficking.”
Katherine Wilson, Regional Director of Heathrow
Border Force, said:
“The smuggling, production and sale of cannabis
plays a fundamental part of the business model that funds dangerous and violent
organised criminal gangs.
“This seizure and others like it, should send a
clear message to anyone considering smuggling illegal drugs into the UK.
Working closely with the NCA, we remain committed to tackling supply chains and
stopping these dangerous drugs from entering our communities.”
The convictions follow a spate of arrests involving
seizures made from flights from the US.
Cannabis grown legally in parts of
America attracts a premium price in the UK.
More than 20 US nationals have now been arrested at
UK airports since the start of 2023, with six convicted and sentenced.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:25 pm