Teen Trafficking to Thailand as drug courier: Police arrest the accused

Three British men have appeared in court accused of trafficking teenagers as a couriers for international drug rings.

by Michelle Zeah

WALES, CARDIFF - Levi Coomansingh, Patrick O'Driscoll and Gareth Press are charged with drug offences and illegal arrangement of travel with a view of exploitation.

The men were accused of using two teenager boys age 17 as courier for drug tracking to Thailand, heard the court Magistrate Cardiff on Friday. The boys were caught and arrested in Thailand in June with 64kg(141lb) of cannabis 'concealed and carried in their suitcases while traveling back to UK. The boys remain in custody and were being supported by Foreign and Common Wealth Office.

Nicholas Evans, prosecuting, said the investigation into an "organised criminal network" operating between the UK and Thailand had culminated in the arrests of the men earlier this week.

Coomansingh, O'Driscoll and Press appeared in the dock together and spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses. They were not asked to enter pleas.

All three are charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

According to Cardiff/Vale of Glamorgan, they confirmed the names and ages and charges on accused: Levi Mohamed, 20, of Butetown, Cardiff, has been charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug and four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
  • Patrick O'Driscoll, 30, of Caerau, Cardiff, has been charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug, four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation, and possession of a firearm.
  • Gareth Press, 42, of Ely, Cardiff has been charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug and two counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
  • Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, of Caerau, Cardiff, has been charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug.
  • A 23-year-old man from Keighley, West Yorkshire, arrested on suspicion of improper importation of controlled drugs is on police bail.

All will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 4 September.

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