Heathrow drug smuggler jailed for seven years (From Hillingdon Times)

Heathrow drug smuggler jailed for seven years

11:04am Friday 3rd July 2009

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A CHILEAN gardener who tried to smuggle two statues packed with cocaine through Heathrow Airport has been jailed for seven years.

Luis Hernan Cornejo Castro, 57, had flown in from Brazil on May 17 this year.

Customs officers searching his luggage became suspicious of two statues. Further examination and tests revealed they contained two kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of £178,000.

Cornejo Castro, who admitted attempting to smuggle the drugs into the country, was jailed at Isleworth Crown Court at a hearing yesterday (Thursday). He will be deported after serving his sentence.

Speaking after the trial, Peter Avery, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue and Customs, said: “This latest success highlights our commitment to prevent drugs from reaching the UK’s streets.”

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