man convicted after trying to smuggle nearly $5million into England
The 33-year-old man, of English nationality, was arrested at the port of Calais. He assured law enforcement that he did not know his van was carrying cocaine and ketamine.
This is a big catch for the Calais police. A man has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence after being arrested in possession of 71.1 kg of cocaine and 100.9 kg of ketamine, at the Calais ferry terminal, in Pas-de-Calais, reports The voice of the North.
The driver, a 33-year-old Englishman, was driving a van in which the goods were located, when he was arrested for a check on January 6.
The man assured law enforcement he did not know he was carrying drugs and claimed to have returned from the Netherlands where he had recovered furniture using the company utility of one of his knowledge. Undeclared work for which he had specially taken leave.
4.884 million in fines
The defendant is not unknown to justice. He has already been convicted in England for drug trafficking and possession of ammunition.
Sentenced to one year in prison with a simple reprieve for the export of narcotics, he must also pay a fine of 4.884 million euros and must return the goods, the vehicle and all the seals to Justice.
On the other hand, he benefits from a acquittal benefit of the doubt concerning drug trafficking.