Northern Ireland

A 26-year-old man was jailed for four and a half years today, after appearing at Antrim Crown Court on charges relating to attempting to smuggle Class A drugs into Northern Ireland.

Johnson Fayiah, a Dutch national was arrested by HM Revenue & Customs officers (HMRC) on his arrival at Belfast International Airport from Amsterdam on 5 January 2008. Around 750 grammes of cocaine, with an estimated street value in excess of £100,000 were seized.

Derek Dubery, Acting Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said:

"HMRC are working closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies such as the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) to protect the public from the significant and damaging effect drugs have on our communities. This collaboration is helping to protect the UK from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs."

"Drugs devastate communities and we will continue to fight this threat. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drugs smuggling should call our 24 hour confidential line 0800 59 5000."

Maggie Eyden, Interim Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland said:

"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 and protect our communities."

In unconnected operations two men, one from the Netherlands and one from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty at Ballymena Crown Court last Friday (27 June) to charges relating to smuggling Class A drugs and will be sentenced at a later date.

Last week (Tuesday 24 June) officers from the newly formed UKBA arrested a 41-year-old Dutch national at Belfast International Airport, when she arrived in Belfast on a flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport. She was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the illegal importation of drugs and later charged at Ballymena Magistrates Court. She is currently in custody and HMRC investigations are continuing.

Notes to editors

1. Johnson Fayiah, (DOB 16/08/1981), of Kempen, Netherlands was jailed for four and a half years in relation to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition with respect to the importation of a controlled drug under Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to section 170 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

2. On 22 November 2007, Uche Kingsley Nnadi, (DOB 28/10/1971) from the Netherlands was stopped by HMRC officers on his arrival at Belfast International Airport from Amsterdam. Officers seized approximately 1.2 kilos of cocaine. Nnadi pleaded guilty on 27 June 2008 at Ballymena Crown Court.

3. On 17 December 2007 a search of baggage at Belfast International Airport revealed approximately 250 grammes of cocaine. Rory Forester, (DOB 17/01/1983), a man from Derry was arrested and pleaded guilty on 27 June 2008 at Ballymena Crown Court.

4. Gerda Singie Lienga, (DOB 12/01/1967), appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Saturday 28 June 2008 where she was charged in relation to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition with respect to the importation of a controlled drug under Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to section 170 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

5. Photographs showing generic drug pellet packages are available.

6. 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 Interim Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland is Maggie Eyden.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk

Client ref NI 59/08

COI ref 162807P