Drug smugglers jailed for 11 and 14 years
06.01.07
Two drug smugglers who attempted to bring more than 12kgs of cocaine into East Anglia through Norwich Airport were jailed for more than 10 years each yesterday.
Harry Lum, 63, of Berkeley, California, and Griet Onsea, 34, from Uganda, were arrested after 8 customs officers, acting on intelligence, searched their luggage when they arrived at Norwich in July. They found more than 12kg of the class A drug with an estimated street value of up to £2m.
Lum, a former commercial fisherman who told the court he had 'taken a chance' because he was short of cash, pleaded guilty to importing 12kg of cocaine, was jailed for 11 years. Onsea, a former UN employee, denied smuggled 5.5kg of the drug but was found guilty by a jury. She was given 14 years in prison.
Customs officials welcomed the sentencing at Norwich Crown Court, saying it would act as a deterrent to other smugglers. John Phillips, HM Revenue & Customs acting head of investigation, said: 'We are extremely pleased with the results in this case and the sentences given to those convicted. This case demonstrates that regional airports such as Norwich are not a soft touch.'
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