Hampshure duo held after drug smuggling raid (From This is Hampshire)

Hampshure duo held after drug smuggling raid

8:22am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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TWO Hampshire men suspected of being part of a criminal network which attempted to import more than 20 tonnes of drugs into the UK have been arrested.

The pair, both aged 52, are being held in police custody following as series of raids across England yesterday.

The operation was carried out by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and saw a further six people arrested. All eight men and women are suspected of using a number of ‘paper’ companies as a front for their activity and employing business service centres across the UK to unwittingly receive packages of cocaine and cannabis on their behalf.

Four arrests took place in Greater Manchester, one in Grimsby and one in Hartlepool. All eight suspects are being held in police stations in Greater Manchester where they are being quizzed by detectives. They face charges of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs between February 2007 and March 2010.

A SOCA spokesman would not confirm where in Hampshire the raids took place.