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17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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Drug smugglers' boats to be put to good use

Two boats, which were confiscated through the Proceeds of Crime Act, were presented by Kent Police to Kent Search and Rescue at the weekend.

On Sunday, 25 March 2012, officers from Kent Police attended a training day with Kent Search and Rescue at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood. This event was the first official outing for the two rigid dinghies which were confiscated from convicted drugs smugglers.

Ironically the smugglers fell under the police spotlight after they became stranded in one of the vessels on the English Channel. An investigation was launched by The Serious and Organised Crime Unit East (now known as the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate) and five men were later sentenced to a total of 44 years behind bars.

It was later discovered the men had smuggled large quantities of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £1.5 million, from France onto Hythe beach, south Kent, using high-speed inflatable boats. They committed their crimes between August and September 2008.

Now the boats, which were once used to commit crimes, will form part of the Kent Search and Rescue fleet, where they will serve a much better purpose - helping those in danger.

28th March 2012