AN ITALIAN man who tried to smuggle more than 30kgs of illegal drugs through Stansted Airport was jailed for seven years last Friday (May 2). Sardinian carpenter Giuseppe Greco, 24, pleaded guilty to the charges at Ipswich Crown Court. In sentencing Judge

AN ITALIAN man who tried to smuggle more than 30kgs of illegal drugs through Stansted Airport was jailed for seven years last Friday (May 2).

Sardinian carpenter Giuseppe Greco, 24, pleaded guilty to the charges at Ipswich Crown Court.

In sentencing Judge Mckittrick told Greco: "You first offended in the UK in 2005 for posting flyers for prostitutes and then offended while on bail for that offence.

"More significant is your most recent offence of possessing cannabis and trying to sell it to undercover police officers.

"Inferences drawn I cannot put out of my mind your dealings in drug offences. This offence that you are here for today is to serve your drug addiction and is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be given."

Greco arrived at Stansted on a late flight from Genoa in Italy on January 16. He had tried to abandon his luggage and leave the airport but was intercepted by officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Both of his trolley cases were locked and Greco claimed to have lost the keys. He said that he only had clothes and books in them but when officers scanned the baggage they saw what appeared to be 33 rectangular packages inside. The locks were forced and the tape wrapped packages removed along with a set of scales.

Most of the packages contained cannabis resin, but two of them had cocaine concealed inside. Officers also found 10 small pellet shaped items which looked as if they could be carried internally.

Greco, of no fixed abode, was taken to a local hospital where he underwent an examination to confirm that all the packages had been found.

In total officers recovered nearly 32kgs of cannabis resin with a street value of £67,000 and 4.96gms of cocaine of which 3.02 grams was pure with a street value of £51,400.

HMRC spokesman Maddy Ratnett said: "HMRC is working at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK and to reduce the associated harm to our communities. The sentence handed down by the court today should act as a deterrent to those involved in drug trafficking.

"HMRC together with the newly formed UK Border Agency play a vital role in the fight to prevent drugs and other illegal products being smuggled into the UK. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to alcohol, drugs or tobacco smuggling should call our 24 hour hotline number on 0800 595000.