News (Media Awareness Project) - Netherlands: Members Of Gang Linked To Dublin Gangland |
| Title: | Netherlands: Members Of Gang Linked To Dublin Gangland |
| Published On: | 2000-09-15 |
| Source: | Irish Examiner (Ireland) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 08:27:24 |
MEMBERS OF GANG LINKED TO DUBLIN GANGLAND BOSS ARE JAILED
Members of a Dutch based international drugs gang, allegedly headed by
Dublin gangland figure, John Cunningham, have been jailed for plotting to
transport huge quantities of ecstasy pills and Cannabis resin between the
Netherlands and Ireland.
Two Englishmen, described as "cogs in the wheel of a major drug smuggling
operation" were given prison sentences of two years at Amsterdam District
Court yesterday.
Judges refused to release one of the accused, a 72 year old pensioner, who
suffered a stroke while on remand in prison on humanitarian grounds and is
said to be seriously ill. The court had heard earlier that both men were
close associates of Jennifer Guinness kidnapper John Cunningham whose own
trial on charges connected to an pounds 8 million drugs and weapons
smuggling operation is due to start in Holland next month.
He escaped from an open prison in Ireland while serving out a 17 year jail
term for his part in the kidnapping of Mrs Guinness in 1986.
On the orders of the Presiding Judge, media were banned from identifying
the accused Englishmen except by their initials, CW, 48, a salesman from
Sheffield and TW, his 72 year old accomplice from Cronkil in the North of
England.
Convicting them the judges said there was overwhelming evidence that they
knowingly took part in a "highly professional" drugs smuggling operation.
They had come to Holland to pack and help transport 1,020 kilos of cannabis
and 100,960 ecstasy tablets intended for Irish based dealers, the court had
heard.
Presiding Judge J.C. Boeree said the scale of the crime had posed "a very
serious threat to the health of society", involving as it did very large
amounts of E tablets, a classified hard drug in Holland. The light sentence
was in recognition of the fact that they were a link in the chain and under
the command of others in the case yet to come to trial, she added.
The drugs gang members sentenced yesterday were also convicted of
possession of two pistols and a revolver together with a quantity of
ammunition.
Members of a Dutch based international drugs gang, allegedly headed by
Dublin gangland figure, John Cunningham, have been jailed for plotting to
transport huge quantities of ecstasy pills and Cannabis resin between the
Netherlands and Ireland.
Two Englishmen, described as "cogs in the wheel of a major drug smuggling
operation" were given prison sentences of two years at Amsterdam District
Court yesterday.
Judges refused to release one of the accused, a 72 year old pensioner, who
suffered a stroke while on remand in prison on humanitarian grounds and is
said to be seriously ill. The court had heard earlier that both men were
close associates of Jennifer Guinness kidnapper John Cunningham whose own
trial on charges connected to an pounds 8 million drugs and weapons
smuggling operation is due to start in Holland next month.
He escaped from an open prison in Ireland while serving out a 17 year jail
term for his part in the kidnapping of Mrs Guinness in 1986.
On the orders of the Presiding Judge, media were banned from identifying
the accused Englishmen except by their initials, CW, 48, a salesman from
Sheffield and TW, his 72 year old accomplice from Cronkil in the North of
England.
Convicting them the judges said there was overwhelming evidence that they
knowingly took part in a "highly professional" drugs smuggling operation.
They had come to Holland to pack and help transport 1,020 kilos of cannabis
and 100,960 ecstasy tablets intended for Irish based dealers, the court had
heard.
Presiding Judge J.C. Boeree said the scale of the crime had posed "a very
serious threat to the health of society", involving as it did very large
amounts of E tablets, a classified hard drug in Holland. The light sentence
was in recognition of the fact that they were a link in the chain and under
the command of others in the case yet to come to trial, she added.
The drugs gang members sentenced yesterday were also convicted of
possession of two pistols and a revolver together with a quantity of
ammunition.
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