HM Revenue and Customs
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Drug smuggling duo sentenced to 33 years
Sotiris Andreas (50) and Pavlos Andronicou (61) were today sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court after being found guilty of importing cocaine into the UK. The 20 kilo concealment, of which 14.4 kilos were 100 per cent pure, was detected by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Officers at the Port of Dover. The haul has an estimated street-value of £800,000. This value would have increased significantly when 'cut' by drug dealers.
British national, Sotiris Christos Andreas of Enfield was sentenced to 14.5 years in jail. Cypriot national, Pavlos Petrou Andronicou, also of Enfied, received a 19 year sentence.
Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Investigation Director, said:
"This conviction is the latest success for HMRC. Our investigators, now working alongside detection officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) at ports and airports, continue to play a key role in protecting communities by reducing the availability of drugs on UK streets.
"We will not hesitate to pursue those who commit this type of offence so that they can be effectively prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). The sentence handed down will serve as a deterrent to those contemplating this serious form of criminality and clearly shows that crime doesn't pay.
"If you know of any suspicious activities which may be linked to drug smuggling, call our 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk"
The court heard that on 30 September 2007 Customs Officers conducted a search of the vehicle Andreas was driving when he arrived at Dover's Eastern Docks. The cocaine was discovered in a false floor running the length of the vehicle.
Andronicou, who travelled in a separate vehicle, was arrested at a later date.
Notes for editors
1. Sotiris Christos ANDREAS, (DOB 09/07/58), unemployed of Flat 16, 7 The Ridgeway, Enfield, EN2 8NX.
2. Pavlos Petrou ANDRONICOU, (DOB 26/03/47), currently serving two and half years at HMP Belmarsh for cannabis importation, and previously of 326 St Ann's Road, London.
3. Both were sentenced on a charge of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of a class A drug - cocaine. As imposed by Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, contrary to Section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.
4. In total the 20 kilos of cocaine have an estimated street-value of £800,000. Of this, 14.4 kilos, at 100 per cent purity, have an estimated street-value of £720,000.
5. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
