£4.5 Million Drug Smuggler Jailed

A Liverpool man has been jailed for 12 years for his part in a plot to smuggle 100 kilos of class A drugs into the UK through Dover.

Joseph Broadhurst, aged 46 of West Derby, Liverpool, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 14 January 2009 after he pleaded guilty to his part in smuggling 90 kilos of heroin and 10 kilos of cocaine into the country.

Following the discovery of the drugs in a car at Dover's Eastern Docks on 1 September 2008, the UK Border Agency established links between the driver of that vehicle, Stephen MacNamee, and Broadhurst.

Among the belongings found in the car at the time of MacNamee's arrest were two mobile phones. Investigations showed that one of the phones had been purchased by Joseph Broadhurst in a false name. Forensic analysis of mobile phone use showing the movements of the phones also provided links between Broadhurst and McNamee.

Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations for the UK Border Agency, said:

"This was a complex investigation and my officers are to be congratulated on their efforts in bringing Broadhurst to justice. This sentence will act as a deterrent to others involved in drug smuggling activities. Our priority is to wipe out illegal drugs and their availability on the UK streets."