Man swallowed £8,600 worth of cocaine to smuggle from London to Southend

11:10am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local News By Chloe Chapman

Man swallowed £8,600 worth of cocaine to smuggle from London to Southend Man swallowed £8,600 worth of cocaine to smuggle from London to Southend

A MAN swallowed £8,600 worth of cocaine to smuggle from London into Southend because he feared being caught by police who were out in force for the Olympics.

Stephen Barber, 23, swallowed 215 grams of the class A drug before travelling home from London, a court was told.

But it all proved fruitless as police discovered the 42 wraps of cocaine when they raided his home in Hampton Gardens, Southend, on July 10 last year after a tip-off.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply at Basildon Crown Court.

It was apparent to officers they had earlier been ingested, the court was told.

Lee Wilcox, mitigating, said: "He owed a drug debt for his own cocaine use and was told to go somewhere in London to collect the drugs and transport them back to Southend. He himself was not a street dealer he was just a courier.

"It was around the time of the Olympics and there was a high police presence in London so he was told to ingest the drugs.

“I accept that a custodial sentence is almost inevitable but he has no previous convictions and is just 23 years of age. This was a case of naivety on his part and he has no experience of these things.”

Police also discovered tickets for a flight from Amsterdam to Southend Airport.

Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.

He was due to stand trial after being accused of importing cocaine on the Easyjet flight.

However, the case was discharged as there was no forensic evidence to support the claim.

Barber will return to Basildon Crown Court next month to be sentenced.
He was released on bail on the condition he sleeps at an address in Silverdale Avenue, Westcliff.

He must also remain indoors between 8.30pm and 4am, and report to Southend Police Station three times a week.

Addressing Barber, Judge Jonathan Black said : "You need to understand you face a custodial sentence for this matter and the way the possession of drugs with intent to supply was carried out."
 

Comments (28)

11:32am Fri 22 Mar 13

Joe Wildman-Clark says...

Shame they did not burst inside him.
Shame they did not burst inside him. Joe Wildman-Clark

11:42am Fri 22 Mar 13

leighman says...

Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
He'd never have been caught then, he'd have been whizzing around everywhere!
[quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]He'd never have been caught then, he'd have been whizzing around everywhere! leighman

11:43am Fri 22 Mar 13

pembury53 says...

Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling
[quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling pembury53

11:55am Fri 22 Mar 13

Tone-Fu says...

Fancy swallowing a load of coke for a 30 mile trip.

What a plum!
Fancy swallowing a load of coke for a 30 mile trip. What a plum! Tone-Fu

12:00pm Fri 22 Mar 13

supermadmax says...

"He owed a drug debt for his own cocaine use and was told to go somewhere in London to collect the drugs and transport them back to Southend. He himself was not a street dealer he was just a courier."

Really ? So a drug dealer , trusted a drug addict, who had already proven them selves to be unreliable to go and collect 215 grams of cocaine !!!

I personally think, the guy is an amateur , thought "ooh I can make cash from this !" Run his mouth off to people that he had lots of coke and someone grassed him up.
Backed up by the facts it was his first offence, he got so nervous that he swallowed the drugs and the police got a tip off.

Either way he will get, minimum of a few years unless he is very lucky.
"He owed a drug debt for his own cocaine use and was told to go somewhere in London to collect the drugs and transport them back to Southend. He himself was not a street dealer he was just a courier." Really ? So a drug dealer , trusted a drug addict, who had already proven them selves to be unreliable to go and collect 215 grams of cocaine !!! I personally think, the guy is an amateur , thought "ooh I can make cash from this !" Run his mouth off to people that he had lots of coke and someone grassed him up. Backed up by the facts it was his first offence, he got so nervous that he swallowed the drugs and the police got a tip off. Either way he will get, minimum of a few years unless he is very lucky. supermadmax

12:00pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Joe Wildman-Clark says...

pembury53 wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling
A close friend committed suicide after getting hooked on drugs, the dealer was pushing him to take more and more forcing him further and further in to his debt, he took the only option he could see to escape the clutches of the dealer, I have zero sympathy for drug dealers if you do then then shame on you if you support them then you are as bad as the sellers.
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling[/p][/quote]A close friend committed suicide after getting hooked on drugs, the dealer was pushing him to take more and more forcing him further and further in to his debt, he took the only option he could see to escape the clutches of the dealer, I have zero sympathy for drug dealers if you do then then shame on you if you support them then you are as bad as the sellers. Joe Wildman-Clark

12:06pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Soouthchurch59 says...

'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.'

Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge.
'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.' Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge. Soouthchurch59

12:18pm Fri 22 Mar 13

notinwestcliffanymore says...

Soouthchurch59 wrote:
'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.' Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge.
my thoughts..
[quote][p][bold]Soouthchurch59[/bold] wrote: 'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.' Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge.[/p][/quote]my thoughts.. notinwestcliffanymore

12:29pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Rochford Rob says...

notinwestcliffanymor
e wrote:
Soouthchurch59 wrote: 'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.' Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge.
my thoughts..
+ 1,000
[quote][p][bold]notinwestcliffanymor e[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Soouthchurch59[/bold] wrote: 'Basildon Crown Court heard Barber had returned from a holiday in the Dutch capital just three days before the haul was discovered.' Obviously the coke came from Amsterdam, and the rest of the story is simply mitigation and a reason to escape an importation charge.[/p][/quote]my thoughts..[/p][/quote]+ 1,000 Rochford Rob

12:53pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Rich.,Carol says...

pembury53 wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling
I agree with statement " shame it didn't burst " These class A drug dealers and drug takers are a parasite that must be eradicated from society, I am not defending someone that has a puff on a cannabis plant because so many people do this in our society but class A is on another level.
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling[/p][/quote]I agree with statement " shame it didn't burst " These class A drug dealers and drug takers are a parasite that must be eradicated from society, I am not defending someone that has a puff on a cannabis plant because so many people do this in our society but class A is on another level. Rich.,Carol

1:53pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Gay Ray says...

Ingested £8k worth of coke for the short trip from London? I'm sure everyone involved knows this is complete nonsense. A cavity concealment would have been OTT but a lot safer- I know I could get 8 grand up my cavity should I wish to- which I don't.
Ingested £8k worth of coke for the short trip from London? I'm sure everyone involved knows this is complete nonsense. A cavity concealment would have been OTT but a lot safer- I know I could get 8 grand up my cavity should I wish to- which I don't. Gay Ray

3:11pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Basildon_Boy says...

Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
[quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick. Basildon_Boy

4:49pm Fri 22 Mar 13

firedog says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
If you had half a brain it would double
your inteligence.
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]If you had half a brain it would double your inteligence. firedog

5:26pm Fri 22 Mar 13

WhateverS says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
Richard head
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]Richard head WhateverS

6:59pm Fri 22 Mar 13

InTheKnowOk says...

pembury53 wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling
"Chilling" LOL ... Do you think this dope runner cared about his actions in all this? .. I dread to think of how many lives these scum bags have ruined! .. Now that's "chilling" ..
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling[/p][/quote]"Chilling" LOL ... Do you think this dope runner cared about his actions in all this? .. I dread to think of how many lives these scum bags have ruined! .. Now that's "chilling" .. InTheKnowOk

7:02pm Fri 22 Mar 13

InTheKnowOk says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
Are you for real? Or are you the resident 'Clown' going under yet another name?
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]Are you for real? Or are you the resident 'Clown' going under yet another name? InTheKnowOk

7:15pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Joe Wildman-Clark says...

InTheKnowOk wrote:
Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
Are you for real? Or are you the resident 'Clown' going under yet another name?
Basildon_Boy is nothing more than a troll, if anyone make a comment against a criminal he attacks them, just a pathetic school boy who think he is big.
[quote][p][bold]InTheKnowOk[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]Are you for real? Or are you the resident 'Clown' going under yet another name?[/p][/quote]Basildon_Boy is nothing more than a troll, if anyone make a comment against a criminal he attacks them, just a pathetic school boy who think he is big. Joe Wildman-Clark

7:28pm Fri 22 Mar 13

max zorin says...

anyone who takes drugs should be allowed to carry on with it so they can overdose and die, then we will get rid of them and their worthless existence once and for all :)
anyone who takes drugs should be allowed to carry on with it so they can overdose and die, then we will get rid of them and their worthless existence once and for all :) max zorin

7:58pm Fri 22 Mar 13

psorias says...

pembury53 wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling
Class A drug in a Class A Pr*t and to Pembury53 you say that Barber smuggling cocaine into our area does not affect us- I think it does - You are either a druggie yourself or have not lived near this sort of scum - I have seen addicts behaving in very anti-social ways and breaking the law because of the state they have got themselves into and I know that a lot of people who break into our homes and get caught say it is to pay for their habit - I do not want this filthy drug on streets near me ,nor near my kids or near anyone else's kids - drugs on our streets - now that is 'chilling' Well done to the police Keep up the good work and Thank you for protecting our youth from a filthy filthy drug
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]You wish a painful death on someone who's actions don't really affect you in anyway.... I dread to think what punishments you would like to dream up for anyone that crossed you..... chilling[/p][/quote]Class A drug in a Class A Pr*t and to Pembury53 you say that Barber smuggling cocaine into our area does not affect us- I think it does - You are either a druggie yourself or have not lived near this sort of scum - I have seen addicts behaving in very anti-social ways and breaking the law because of the state they have got themselves into and I know that a lot of people who break into our homes and get caught say it is to pay for their habit - I do not want this filthy drug on streets near me ,nor near my kids or near anyone else's kids - drugs on our streets - now that is 'chilling' Well done to the police Keep up the good work and Thank you for protecting our youth from a filthy filthy drug psorias

8:02pm Fri 22 Mar 13

psorias says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
Basildon boy he aint earning no living he is funding his own habbit
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]Basildon boy he aint earning no living he is funding his own habbit psorias

9:23pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Carnabackable says...

Druggie scum
Druggie scum Carnabackable

10:57pm Fri 22 Mar 13

asbo in a coma says...

so odds on custodial but still released on bail. sensible.
so odds on custodial but still released on bail. sensible. asbo in a coma

1:02am Sat 23 Mar 13

Pikey-Biker says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
no he is quite right mush
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]no he is quite right mush Pikey-Biker

11:19am Sat 23 Mar 13

max zorin says...

anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives.
anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives. max zorin

3:51pm Sat 23 Mar 13

supermadmax says...

max zorin wrote:
anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives.
To be fair Max, Alcohol is a drug, as is nicotine, Viagra and thousands of common prescription medicines for example.

Its just that certain 'drugs' are illegal in this particular country & certain drugs are not.
[quote][p][bold]max zorin[/bold] wrote: anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives.[/p][/quote]To be fair Max, Alcohol is a drug, as is nicotine, Viagra and thousands of common prescription medicines for example. Its just that certain 'drugs' are illegal in this particular country & certain drugs are not. supermadmax

3:59pm Sat 23 Mar 13

max zorin says...

supermadmax wrote:
max zorin wrote:
anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives.
To be fair Max, Alcohol is a drug, as is nicotine, Viagra and thousands of common prescription medicines for example.

Its just that certain 'drugs' are illegal in this particular country & certain drugs are not.
true but they are not illegal so we can't really criticise drinkers smokers etc :)
[quote][p][bold]supermadmax[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]max zorin[/bold] wrote: anyone who takes drugs is scum and yes they do deserve death, its pathetic that they have take drugs just to add something to their sad little lives.[/p][/quote]To be fair Max, Alcohol is a drug, as is nicotine, Viagra and thousands of common prescription medicines for example. Its just that certain 'drugs' are illegal in this particular country & certain drugs are not.[/p][/quote]true but they are not illegal so we can't really criticise drinkers smokers etc :) max zorin

4:29pm Sat 23 Mar 13

CaptainBlackadder says...

Basildon_Boy wrote:
Joe Wildman-Clark wrote:
Shame they did not burst inside him.
So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.
Ye gods - 'trying to just make a living' - what a bizarre statement!
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_Boy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Joe Wildman-Clark[/bold] wrote: Shame they did not burst inside him.[/p][/quote]So someone trying to just make a living, which ain't harming anyone, deserves death? Your sick.[/p][/quote]Ye gods - 'trying to just make a living' - what a bizarre statement! CaptainBlackadder

8:57pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Joe Wildman-Clark says...

Drugs taken by men with small tallywackers!
Drugs taken by men with small tallywackers! Joe Wildman-Clark

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