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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
SOCA Executive Director Trevor Pearce said: \u201cDrug 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s lengthy jail terms send a very clear message to criminals \u2013 if you come onto SOCA\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Both men were arrested on behalf of SOCA by officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service\u2019s Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau. They were extradited to the UK in June 2008 following a court hearing in the Port of Spain.<\/p>\n
Trevor Pearce added: \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy working in partnership with the TTPS and the Attorney General\u2019s office we have successfully dismantled an organised crime gang responsible for causing harm to the public in both the UK and Trinidad and Tobago.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sentencing details:
\nKingston Crown Court, London \u2013 31 March 2009
\n\u2022\u00a0Owen Alfred, DoB 30\/6\/68, of Idle Wild, Scarborough, Tobago \u2013 18 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Oswin Moore, DoB 28\/4\/68, of Big George Junction, Orange Hill Road,
\n\u2022\u00a0Patience Hill, Tobago \u2013 15 years<\/p>\n
Kingston Crown Court, London \u2013 20 July 2006
\n\u2022\u00a0Paul Williams, DoB 22\/06\/67, Harris House, Brixton, London \u2013 22 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Delroy Gibson, DoB 19\/06\/67, Church Road, Gypsy Hill, London \u2013 21 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Anson Charles, DoB 25\/08\/59, Alexander Drive, Gipsy Hill, London (T&T national) \u2013 20 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Charles Gordon, DoB not known, Broadstone House, Kennington, London \u2013 20 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Wayne Brown, DoB 20\/04\/65, Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, London \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Kerin Burris-Gordon, DoB 23\/06\/82, Broadstone House, Kennington \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Derek Anthony, DoB 28\/08\/68, Roberts House, Tulse Hill, London \u2013 15years
\n\u2022\u00a0Stephanie McQueenie, DoB 05\/12\/79, Lockwood Square, Rotherhithe, London \u2013 13 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Stacy Burris, DoB 13\/07\/84, Alexander Drive, Gipsy Hill, London \u2013 7 years
\n\u2022\u00a0Yvonne Anthony, DoB 03\/09\/75, Letchford Gardens, White City, London \u2013 6 years<\/p>\n