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Pensioners deny smuggling drugs Pair aged 70 deny smuggling drugs
(about 1 hour later)
Two pensioners helped to flood Britain with millions of pounds of cannabis disguised as frozen chicken imports, Southwark Crown Court has been told. Two 70-year-olds helped flood Britain with cannabis with a value of millions of pounds, disguised as frozen chicken imports, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Derek Mercer, of Sandown Road, South Norwood, and John Rowe, both 70, of Mansford Street, Bethnal Green, deny drug smuggling on or before 16 March. Londonders Derek Mercer, of Sandown Road, South Norwood, and John Rowe, of Mansford Street, Bethnal Green, deny smuggling drugs on or before 16 March.
The prosecution alleges the gang of five transported the Dutch consignments from Bury St Edmunds to Grays in Essex. The prosecution alleges a gang of five transported the Dutch consignments from Bury St Edmunds to Grays in Essex.
The court heard three other men have admitted taking part in the operation.The court heard three other men have admitted taking part in the operation.
Andrew Marshall, prosecuting, said the next stage was to "very quickly distribute" the Class B drug to customers so "the evidence disappears". Andrew Marshall, prosecuting, said after importation the next stage was to "very quickly distribute" the Class B drug to customers so "the evidence disappears".
Police tracked gangPolice tracked gang
Mr Marshall said police spent some time secretly tracking the gang's movements before raiding Mr Mercer's haulage company nearly six months ago.Mr Marshall said police spent some time secretly tracking the gang's movements before raiding Mr Mercer's haulage company nearly six months ago.
There, he said, police arrested Mr Mercer and Mr Rowe along with Patrick Maloney, 51, of Turquand Street, Southwark; Russ O'Cuneff, 51, of Glengarnock Avenue, Poplar; and Wattie Soutter, 68, of Raymouth Road, Rotherhithe. There, he said, police arrested Mr Mercer and Mr Rowe along with Patrick Maloney, 51, of Turquand Street, Southwark; Russ O'Cuneff, 51, of Glengarnock Avenue, Poplar; and Wattie Soutter, 68, of Raymouth Road, Rotherhithe, all in London.
It is really a significant drug smuggling enterprise Andrew Marshall, prosecuting
The prosecution claims a search uncovered 1.4 tonnes of cannabis worth millions of pounds in Mercer's warehouse "waiting for the customers".The prosecution claims a search uncovered 1.4 tonnes of cannabis worth millions of pounds in Mercer's warehouse "waiting for the customers".
A further 882lb (400kg) was recovered from Soutter's van, while 132lb (60kg) of the more potent "skunk" form of the drug was allegedly found in Rowe's Volvo Estate. A further 882lb (400kg) was recovered from Soutter's van, while 132lb (60kg) of the more potent "skunk" form of the drug was allegedly found in Rowe's Volvo Estate, the court heard.
Mr Marshall said: "It is really a significant drug smuggling enterprise."Mr Marshall said: "It is really a significant drug smuggling enterprise."
He told jurors that of the two on trial only Mercer answered questions when interviewed.He told jurors that of the two on trial only Mercer answered questions when interviewed.
The haulage company boss told officers he had been approached three weeks earlier by someone he knew only as Tony for the use of his yard for a "loading and unloading" exercise.The haulage company boss told officers he had been approached three weeks earlier by someone he knew only as Tony for the use of his yard for a "loading and unloading" exercise.
He maintained that after being offered £500 for his trouble, he asked if there was anything "iffy" going on, but was assured everything was above board. He maintained that after being offered £500 for his trouble, he asked if there was anything "iffy" going on, but was assured everything was above board, the court heard.
"I didn't really know it was drugs, I can tell you that," he added."I didn't really know it was drugs, I can tell you that," he added.