Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[Aviador]

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[Aviador]

Southampton Airport cocaine smuggler jailed

A man, who attempted to smuggle three kilos of cocaine worth £207,000 into the UK hidden in his false-bottomed suitcase, was jailed for seven and a half years today.

Rolando Juan Castillo, 59, a Dutch national, was sentenced for being knowingly concerned in the importation of cocaine, following an investigation by officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). He pleaded guilty to the offence at Southampton Crown Court on 28 November 2008.

Castillo, who flew into the UK from Cameroon, via Paris, Charles De Gaulle Airport, was intercepted by UK Border Agency (UKBA) detection officers at Southampton International Airport on 17 September 2008.

His baggage was searched and an officer became suspicious of its structure. X-rays revealed a suspected concealment in the base of the suitcase. The removal of the inner lining uncovered an A3 sized package. Its contents reacted positively to the presence of cocaine. HMRC officers then took over the investigation.

Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Peter Ralls QC said: "You have been willing to involve yourself in drugs importation over a considerable period of time. This is a very serious matter."

Peter Avery, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: "Drugs devastate lives and communities. HMRC investigators and their UK Border Agency colleagues are determined to stop them reaching our streets. We would urge anyone with information about drug smuggling to call the Customs' Hotline on 0800 59 5000."

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.

Source

 

[Aviador]

Seven in court over airport demo

Six people charged with aggravated trespass after a protest against rising passenger numbers at Southampton Airport have pleaded guilty.

Members of the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid chained themselves to the the airport's entrance on 17 February.

The six who admitted the offence received fines ranging from £117 to £642 at Southampton Magistrates.

A seventh person, Anthony Perrett, 28, of Caldicott, Gwent, was remanded on unconditional bail until 8 September.

Those fined on Tuesday were all also ordered to pay £10 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

They were Peter Barker, 44, of High Street, Wool, Wareham, who was fined £408; Tara Bosworth, 19, of Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, fined £200; Benjamin Jasper, 25, of Ashley Lane, Hordle, Lymington, fined £117; Imogen Michel, 20, of Thackeray Road, Southampton, fined £204; Sophie Pritchard, 32, of Cedar Close, Wool, Wareham, fined £321 and Andrew Butler, 34, also of Cedar Close, Wool, Wareham, fined £642.

Source

 

[News Guru]

[textarea]Three arrested over Southampton flight laser incidents

Police arrested three people in Southampton after the pilots of aircraft had lasers shone at them in two separate incidents on Saturday night. One of the targeted aircraft was the Sussex police helicopter that had been called in after a Flybe plane was attacked when it came in to land at Southampton Airport at around 21:30.

The helicopter used thermal imaging cameras to guide police on the ground to Gerard Crescent in Bitterne, where they arrested two youths aged 17. They were detained for recklessly endangering aircraft contrary to the Aviation Act 2005. Soon afterwards officers arrested a man aged 20 in Old Farm Drive, Bitterne, for shining the lasers at the helicopter, based at Shoreham in West Sussex.

Police said three laser pens were recovered. The three were held in custody overnight. The 20-year-old received a caution and the youths were referred to the Youth Offending Team.

Source[/textarea]

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Lasers

I am always surprised when some police forces seem to routinely dispose of these sorts of incidents by way of an official caution.

Perhaps the civil aviation industry and staff trade associations/unions are satisfied with this because I never read of their disquiet.

I believe such actions merit a court appearance and firm sentencing.