Police have seized a kilo of “import purity” cocaine heading for UK streets.
An organised crime group had shipped a kilo block of the class A drug in Alister Wright’s van – who was running a legitimate courier business and claims he was unaware of what was in the package.
On his arrival at the destination in Newcastle, police were patiently waiting to swoop.
Officers also arrested Craig Robertson, who appeared to collect the drugs on behalf of those higher up the gangland chain.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was around 7pm on February 18 2012 that the white Peugeot van driven by Wright was driven into the Travelodge car park at Rotary Way, near Gosforth Park, reports Chronicle Live.
Plain-clothed officers quickly pounced when Wright got out of his vehicle and went to the back of the van, he was soon detained.
The van was searched and a workman’s jacket was found wrapped around a towel wrapped around a black carrier bag, this was wrapped around a large hard white block of white substance, which was further wrapped in plastic and rubber. It was a kilo of unadulterated cocaine, described as “import purity”.
As Wright was being arrested, police noticed Robertson acting suspiciously as he lingered in a black VW Golf, which slowly drove into the hotel car park, heading slowly towards the van before driving away.
It was then driven slowly through the petrol station forecourt and eventually stopped in the McDonald’s car park.
Robertson then went into the Falcon’s Nest pub, where he was arrested.
The court heard that the individuals involved in organising the drug delivery had been using “caller line ID spoofing”, and also specialised sim cards costing up to £1,500 for six months of use, in a bid to mask their mobile phone numbers. Robertson also had such a device.
During Wright’s interview, he claimed he had a legitimate courier business, which prosecutors accept was true. He said he was heading to Lockerbie to collect a quad bike but earlier that day he had received a job to collect an item in Chester and take it to Newcastle.
He said he had met a man in a layby and he put a package in his van and gave him the location for the delivery.
Robertson, 42, who has 30 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and also admitted dangerous driving relating to a domestic-related offence while on bail for the drugs offences. He shunted his wife’s car forwards during a row before driving at speed towards the back of her car, slamming on the brakes to avoid a collision.
Robertson, of The Meadows, Fawdon, Newcastle, was caged for five years and two months.
Wright, 49, who has 30 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to participating in criminal activity of an organised crime group on the basis he was unaware it was a class A drug or its value and said it was a one-off for which he was paid £300.
Wright, of Bro Deg, Flint, Flintshire, was sentenced to 18 months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation.
Jeremy Barton, for Robertson, said he had been operating a legitimate business and had used his time in custody constructively. He added: “Clearly there are others above him who are not before the court. Very seldom are those at the very top of the tree caught and brought before the court.”
Peter Wilson, representing Wright, said he had a number of health issues. He added that the long delays in the case coming to a conclusion have had a significant impact on him.
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