Hauliers warned to search for drugs
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• Hauliers must be more vigilant in checking trucks returning from the Continent for smuggled drugs, warns the Road Haulage Association.
If drugs are found, Customs officers are just as likely to arrest the owner of the vehicle as they are the driver, says John Wadhams, assistant manager at the RHA's South Eastern office: "We are telling our members to advise drivers to be extremely careful."
Drivers collecting groupage loads from the Continent are "totally vulnerable" to consignors smuggling bags of cannabis and other drugs as part of the cargo, he says: "Often drivers take a trailer to Holland, drop it and pick up another. They are usually not even allowed in the loading bay."
The case of truck driver Billy Daniels sent shock waves through the industry — in 1989 he was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for importing cannabis; he has always protested his innocence.
Up to a dozen trucks a month are found to be carrying drugs by Customs officials at the Channel ports and the figure is rising. although this could be because of a better rate of detection, says a Customs spokesman. He estimates that only 20% of drivers importing drugs are caught.
If a driver is arrested on drug charges, his vehicle can be held and its owner also charged, following Customs investigations, he adds.
CI A Kent-based haulier will appear at Dover magistrates court tomorrow (29 November) on charges involving the importing of 1.25 tonnes of cannabis.