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Jail for cocaine smuggler after statue stash is found
03 July 2009
A Chilean man was jailed for seven years yesterday at Isleworth Crown Court after trying to smuggle 2kg of cocaine into Heathrow Airport. The drugs, with an estimated street value of £178,000, were hidden in lead statues.
Luis Hernan Cornejo Castro, a 57-year-old gardener, was stopped by UK Border Agency officers on 17 May 2009 as he arrived in the United Kingdom on a flight from Brazil.
Officers became suspicious of two statues in his luggage. Further examination and tests showed they contained white powder which tested positive for cocaine.
He was arrested and the case passed to HM Revenue & Customs to continue investigations.
Peter Avery, assistant director of criminal investigation at HM Revenue & Customs, said:
'This latest success highlights our commitment to prevent drugs from reaching the UK's streets. Our investigators and their UK Border Agency colleagues are determined to reduce the devastating impact drugs have on individuals, as well as the wider effect on local communities. We would urge anyone with information about drug smuggling to call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.'
His Honour Judge McGregor-Johnson ordered that Cornejo Castro be deported upon completion of his sentence.