Grace Khaile obtains a 40 month custodial sentence for a defendant who pleaded guilty to the importation of 2.2kg of cocaine into the UK from Guyana. After convincing the judge that the financial gain expected was limited as the defendant intended to use it for a medical treatment.

The defendant was apprehended by border force police at Gatwick Airport arriving from Guyana, on search of his luggage officers found 2.2kg worth of cocaine.

The defendant pleaded guilty at the first appearance and made full and frank admissions in interview. He told officers that he had been asked to import the drugs in exchange for financial assistance for an urgent medical operation. Grace made submissions that the Judge should place sufficient allowance on the age and health of the defendant as to find him as being of lesser harm on the sentencing guidelines.

The Judge agreed with the defence submissions and imposed a custodial sentence of 40 months.

Grace was instructed by Sabrina Neves of GT Stewart Solicitors.