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United Kingdom Couple Found Guilty Of Smuggling Cocaine And Sentenced To Jail

Source: HM Revenue & Customs
Posted on: 22nd November 2009

A couple from Wigan were sentenced to over eleven years jail for their part in the attempted illegal importation of cocaine with a street value of almost £80,000 at Manchester Airport in 2008.

The case follows a lengthy investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers into a north west gang believed to be responsible for drugs trafficking into the UK from South America.

Matthew Wright (aged 38) and Stephanie Thomas (43) both of Wigan received six years eight months and four years six months respectively for the drugs smuggling when His Honour Judge Hernandez summed up their roles in court: of Wright he said: “you committed this crime as an act of pure greed and at the prospect of getting easy money”.

To Thomas he said: “You turned a blind eye to the fact that Wright was living well beyond his means and there was clear evidence you had knowledge of what was taking place. Although I am satisfied that you were not a prime mover in this importation, both myself and the jury are satisfied you had clear knowledge of what was going to happen.”

The pair were originally stopped at Manchester Airport border controls by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers on the morning of 7 August 2008 when they arrived on a flight from Venezuela. The officers discovered packages of cocaine in the couple’s shared suitcase wrapped in cling film within a sock and a beach bag. Forensic tests later determined the white powder to be 1.25 kilos of cocaine (626 grammes at 100% purity) with a potential street value in access of £80,000. The couple were arrested and the case was passed to HMRC investigators to proceed with enquiries.

Mike O’Grady, HMRC Criminal Investigations North West, said:
 “There is no excuse for any person to get involved in this illegal and harmful trade. Today, Wright and Thomas are paying the price for their parts in an international criminal network. Working with our law enforcement colleagues both in the UK and abroad sharing intelligence we will take every action to detect, seize and bring those smuggling drugs into the country before the courts. This is an illegal trade which damages the lives of local people and finances wider criminal organisations. This is a serious offence and we would strongly encourage anyone with information relating to drug smuggling to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

HMRC investigators worked on the case over several months tracing the travel movements of the couple investigating financial transactions between the smugglers and their suppliers and used mobile phone evidence to connect the Wigan pair to the trafficking. Thomas was found guilty at a trial in September 2009 and Wright pleaded guilty prior to a trial.

Wright received an additional two years jail for a separate forgery charge.

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