Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
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By Firefly
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1412897
7:00am 21st October 2015

A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with importing Class A drugs into North Yorkshire.

It comes after nearly 7 kilos of cocaine were seized at Bagby Airfield near Thirsk on Sunday.

Border Force officers met a light aircraft which had recently arrived from the Netherlands.

The investigation was then handed over to the National Crime Agency.

Paul Tallentire, from the NCA’s North East border investigation team, said:

"This was a substantial seizure of cocaine which if cut and sold in the UK would have had a likely potential street value in excess of £1 million.

"Our investigation into this attempted importation is ongoing and I would urge anyone with information regarding suspicious movements in or around UK airfields to get in touch, either by calling the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

"Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force and North Yorkshire Police we are determined to do all we can to prevent small airfields being used for criminal purposes."

Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Border Force Yorkshire & Humber, said:

"By thwarting this smuggling attempt we have stopped a sizeable amount of cocaine making it onto the streets of the UK.

"Seizures like this demonstrate how Border Force officers are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the country."

Last year Border Force, the NCA and UK police forces launched Project Pegasus, a multi-agency campaign encouraging people living and working close to small airports to report unusual activity associated with general aviation.

General aviation includes aircraft such as microlights, helicopters, and business jets, and activities such as aerial surveys, deliveries, corporate flights and leisure flying.
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By Jim Jones
#1412904
This could mean the nimbys in the area have more ammunition, unless the airfield can show how they either:
A) collaborated with the agencies to seize the goods and criminals
B) used their common sense to identify a wrong 'un and tip off the authorities.

Anyone know?
By LZ791
#1412908
Anyone care to explain why the earlier thread relating to same topic has been removed??
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By flybymike
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1412920
LZ791 wrote:Anyone care to explain why the earlier thread relating to same topic has been removed??

Indeed.....!
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By Keef
#1412926
LZ791 wrote:Anyone care to explain why the earlier thread relating to same topic has been removed??


Deleted by the original poster - an option always available.
By Joe Dell
#1412936
Jim Jones wrote:This could mean the nimbys in the area have more ammunition, unless the airfield can show how they either:
A) collaborated with the agencies to seize the goods and criminals
B) used their common sense to identify a wrong 'un and tip off the authorities.

Anyone know?


The pilot and aircraft were based in the London area. Can't see how Bagby can be blamed for anything that's transpired. The airfield has a good working relationship with local Border Agency officers.
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By Jim Jones
#1412957
Joe Dell wrote:
Jim Jones wrote:This could mean the nimbys in the area have more ammunition, unless the airfield can show how they either:
A) collaborated with the agencies to seize the goods and criminals
B) used their common sense to identify a wrong 'un and tip off the authorities.

Anyone know?


The pilot and aircraft were based in the London area. Can't see how Bagby can be blamed for anything that's transpired. The airfield has a good working relationship with local Border Agency officers.


Agreed, but the press reports only mention Bagby, so they should take care ensure that that good relationship is well known.
The opportunity to claim the airfield is a " known element in drug smuggling" will not be lost on those who don't want aircraft flying over their newly- acquired houses.
By johnp
#1412986
I hesitated to write this - but I would guess that the original poster removed because he thought we do ourselves no favours writing about it on a public forum.
Food for thought?
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By Old Pilot
#1412993
As the story was widely covered by the Northern Echo and other local press I doubt it appearing here will influence the locals.

The accused is from London and the airfield just happened to have the bad luck of being his choice for landing the drugs.

On the bright side a nice looking Dakota will be up for grabs when auctioned off by the police next year assuming it is not on finance.

It appears we get an incident such as this every year so the authorities are on the ball.
By JoeC
#1412995
Old Pilot wrote:
On the bright side a nice looking Dakota will be up for grabs when auctioned off by the police next year assuming it is not on finance.



Perfect if you want to get ramp-checked after every flight!
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By Josh
#1413013
Sir Morley Steven wrote:Was it Golf Charlie Charlie?


:lol: :lol: :lol:
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By eltonioni
#1413024
JoeC wrote:Perfect if you want to get ramp-checked after every flight!

I used to fly a very nice DA40 out of Sheffield City that had been involved in some big drugs haul. Never did find anything interesting down the back of the seat. :cyclopsani: