Jail For Smuggler

A 40 year old Dutchman has been jailed for 13 years after trying to smuggle more than 100 kilos of cocaine into the UK through Dover.

The drugs, which had an estimated street value of £5,371,020, were discovered during a search of a boat docked at Dover Eastern Docks in October 2004.

The cocaine had been wrapped in packages and then hidden underneath a bunk in Mail William Cittert's cabin.

The 40 year old from Amsterdam was arrested and charged with attempting to import a controlled drug, but he went on the run before his trial.

He was finally extradited back to the UK from Holland to face charges in May this year.

Upon sentencing Van Cittert, His Honour Judge James said: "The potential profits to be made from this attempt to import a massive quantity of cocaine into the UK were enormous and though you were not an organiser, you played a vital role.

"Your admissions came late in the day and only when confronted with overwhelming evidence."
 
Bob Gaiger, spokesperson for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said:  "Our investigators were determined to find Van Cittert and to bring him back to the UK.

"The sentence handed down by the court will act as a deterrent to those involved in this type of criminal activity and clearly shows that crime doesn't pay."