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Dutch haulier gets seven years for drug smuggling • A

7th May 1998, Page 12
7th May 1998
Page 12
Page 12, 7th May 1998 — Dutch haulier gets seven years for drug smuggling • A
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Dutch haulier found guilty of importing cannabis worth £2.7m through Dover has been jailed for seven years.

Adrianus Verhoeven, who was But during the trial at Canterbury Crown Court, John Butcher, prosecuting, described how, upon being stopped, Verhoeven started sweating profusely despite the fact it was a cold evening.

The trailer was searched, and Customs officers found 40 boxes hidden in the load containing 281 blocks of herbal cannabis and 250 blocks of resin.

Verhoeven claimed he knew nothing of the drugs and said he usually worked in the office. He claimed he was only driving because the usual driver had to take a break after running out of hours.

Jailing him, Judge John Sessions told Verhoeven: "You committed the offence when your business was failing as a last-ditch attempt to save it. You were, in my view, more than a simple courier but there is no evidence of a greater involvement."

Verhoeven maintained his innocence.