The Serious Organised Crime Agency is warning drug traffickers they will face a long time behind bars if they attempt to import drugs into the United Kingdom.
Tobagonians Owen Alfred and Oswin Moore were jailed for 18 and 15 years respectively in London today for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Ten other members of the organised crime gang, which has been completely dismantled by SOCA, were previously sentenced to a total of 144 years.
Alfred and Moore were extradited from Trinidad and Tobago to the UK in June 2008 and were convicted of conspiracy to import controlled drugs following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court.
SOCA Executive Director Trevor Pearce said: “Drug trafficking causes misery to local communities and funds other criminal activity. SOCA and its partners are committed to using our global partnerships to tackle this problem.
“Today’s lengthy jail terms send a very clear message to criminals – if you come onto SOCA’s radar we will pursue you, track you down, and put you behind bars. Alfred and Moore have paid a heavy price for importing cocaine into the UK and are now in jail thousands of miles away from their family and friends. Targeting the UK is a high risk business and will not be tolerated.”
The court heard how gang members in the UK used a money transfer service to pay Alfred and Moore to supply drugs and provide documentation, accommodation, transportation and cover stories for drug mules. Officers identified 21 mules, who had each swallowed up to one kilo of cocaine. They have all been jailed separately either in Tobago or the UK.
Evidence including money transaction details, false letters and telephone bills enabled officers to prove approximately 140 kilos of cocaine had been sent to the UK between June 2002 and July 2005. The cocaine was being distributed by UK gang members to dealers in South London.
Both men were arrested on behalf of SOCA by officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau. They were extradited to the UK in June 2008 following a court hearing in the Port of Spain.
Trevor Pearce added: “The success of this investigation is down to the hard work and dedication of officers from both SOCA and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Eight of their officers travelled to the UK to give evidence and I want to thank them for their assistance.
“By working in partnership with the TTPS and the Attorney General’s office we have successfully dismantled an organised crime gang responsible for causing harm to the public in both the UK and Trinidad and Tobago.”
As part of a different operation, the UK’s 120 year old extradition treaty with Colombia was used for the first time last week when a man was brought back to the UK by SOCA officers to face charges of money laundering linked to cocaine supply.
Sentencing details:
Kingston Crown Court, London – 31 March 2009
• Owen Alfred, DoB 30/6/68, of Idle Wild, Scarborough, Tobago – 18 years
• Oswin Moore, DoB 28/4/68, of Big George Junction, Orange Hill Road,
• Patience Hill, Tobago – 15 years
Kingston Crown Court, London – 20 July 2006
• Paul Williams, DoB 22/06/67, Harris House, Brixton, London – 22 years
• Delroy Gibson, DoB 19/06/67, Church Road, Gypsy Hill, London – 21 years
• Anson Charles, DoB 25/08/59, Alexander Drive, Gipsy Hill, London (T&T national) – 20 years
• Charles Gordon, DoB not known, Broadstone House, Kennington, London – 20 years
• Wayne Brown, DoB 20/04/65, Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, London – 10 years
• Kerin Burris-Gordon, DoB 23/06/82, Broadstone House, Kennington – 10 years
• Derek Anthony, DoB 28/08/68, Roberts House, Tulse Hill, London – 15years
• Stephanie McQueenie, DoB 05/12/79, Lockwood Square, Rotherhithe, London – 13 years
• Stacy Burris, DoB 13/07/84, Alexander Drive, Gipsy Hill, London – 7 years
• Yvonne Anthony, DoB 03/09/75, Letchford Gardens, White City, London – 6 years
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