Drug dealer jailed for smuggling cannabis

Dec 13 2009 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

Drink carton drug smuggler jailed

A BIRMINGHAM drug dealer has been jailed after trying to smuggle £21,000 of cannabis into Britain in a cardboard drinks container.

Unemployed Charles Beckford, 29, from Bartley Green, was jailed for 21 months on Friday at Birmingham Crown court.

He was arrested by officers from the UK Border Agency on August 19 when he arrived at Birmingham airport on a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica.

They discovered 7.3 kilos of compressed cannabis in a cardboard drinks container he was carrying.

Adrian Farley, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: “The impact of the illegal drugs trade is not limited to those involved in the supply and demand chain – whether it’s organised crime gangs, drugs couriers or users. It also has a devastating effort on local neighbourhoods and communities.”

His Honour Judge Coates, said: “You are a stupid man who was tempted to smuggle drugs by an offer of cash.”