Cannabis smuggler jailed for 6 years in UK

Northampton, UK -- CANNABIS smuggler Evans Quaye has been jailed for six years, with a recommendation he be kicked out of this country.

The judge who sentenced the 27-year-old from Ghana said: “I regard his presence here as a detriment to the UK.”

At Northampton Crown Court last night, Judge Richard Bray also ordered the forfeiture of ?38,000 seized by police in a raid on a house in Henshaw Road, Wellingborough, where Quaye, was then living.

Prosecutor Nicholas Dean said the money could be used at the discretion of the chief constable. But the judge replied: “I am somewhat nervous about that – it could be spent on more speed cameras, important though they are.”

The judge directed the cash should be used in the battle against drugs, explaining: “We have a serious drugs problem and to use it in the fight against drugs would be appropriate.”

After more than three hours deliberations, the jury convicted Quaye of conspiracy to import the cannabis. It could not agree on a second charge of conspiracy to supply the drug and it was discharged from giving a verdict. During the four day trial, the jury heard county police took action after 11 parcels from Ghana containing cannabis were intercepted at Mount Pleasant sorting office in London.

Houses in Wellingborough to which they were addressed were raided and cannabis worth thousands of pounds seized. The prosecution claimed Quaye had links with these properties. His barrister claimed Quaye was na?ve, only a small fish in the pond and had been left to carry the can.

Judge Bray said: “Not that small. He is quite sophisticated.”

Northampton, UK -- CANNABIS smuggler Evans Quaye has been jailed for six years, with a recommendation he be kicked out of this country.

The judge who sentenced the 27-year-old from Ghana said: “I regard his presence here as a detriment to the UK.”

At Northampton Crown Court last night, Judge Richard Bray also ordered the forfeiture of ?38,000 seized by police in a raid on a house in Henshaw Road, Wellingborough, where Quaye, was then living.

Prosecutor Nicholas Dean said the money could be used at the discretion of the chief constable. But the judge replied: “I am somewhat nervous about that – it could be spent on more speed cameras, important though they are.”

The judge directed the cash should be used in the battle against drugs, explaining: “We have a serious drugs problem and to use it in the fight against drugs would be appropriate.”

After more than three hours deliberations, the jury convicted Quaye of conspiracy to import the cannabis. It could not agree on a second charge of conspiracy to supply the drug and it was discharged from giving a verdict. During the four day trial, the jury heard county police took action after 11 parcels from Ghana containing cannabis were intercepted at Mount Pleasant sorting office in London.

Houses in Wellingborough to which they were addressed were raided and cannabis worth thousands of pounds seized. The prosecution claimed Quaye had links with these properties. His barrister claimed Quaye was na?ve, only a small fish in the pond and had been left to carry the can.

Judge Bray said: “Not that small. He is quite sophisticated.”