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Kent men sentenced over drug charges
14 February 2012
Two men from Thanet have today been sentenced at Canterbury crown court after pleading guilty to importing controlled drugs and possessing class B drugs.
Jeremy Detheridge, 26, of Margate was sentenced to 3 years for smuggling drugs through the postal system, while 40 year old David Truelove of Broadstairs received £815 fine for drug possession.
Our officers at Stansted airport intercepted 2 parcels en route from China to a bungalow in Botany Road, Broadstairs on 19 April 2010. One package contained Lignocaine, and the other MBZP, a legal high recently classified as a class C drug.
Another parcel was intercepted at Stansted airport, again addressed to the Botany Road address, on 14 May 2010 this time containing dimethylcathinone a class B drug.
The case was passed to our officers based at Dover for investigation.
On 24 June 2010, we searched the premises in Botany Road finding a quantity of white powder, measuring and weighing equipment, packaging material, business paperwork and computer equipment.
The white powder, when tested, contained a mixture of controlled and non-controlled drugs. The estimated street value of the controlled drugs was £59,000.
On 1 July 2010 Jeremy Detheridge surrendered himself to us and was arrested and questioned. He admitted being involved in selling legal highs but denied any knowledge of controlled drugs.
Investigations continued and he was charged on the 25 January 2011 with the importation of class B drugs, and with the possession of class B drugs with intent to supply.
Detheridge pleaded guilty at Canterbury crown court on 11 November to 5 drug possession and smuggling charges.
Truelove was arrested by the agency on 13 July 2011. He pleaded guilty to 2 counts of possession of a Class B drug at Canterbury crown court on 19 October 2011
Malcolm Bragg, criminal and financial investigation assistant director, UK Border Agency said:
'Detheridge's sentence should act as a warning to those who attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into this country by whatever means.
'Our officers are on constant alert to keep drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.
'Drugs devastate lives and communities and officers at the UK Border Agency are determined to stop them reaching our streets.'
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000 or can report crime on this website.