'RESPECTABLE' PAIR JAILED FOR COCAINE SMUGGLING

A "respectable suburban” husband and wife were jailed for smuggling cocaine
yesterday despite never having been caught in possession of significant
quantities of the drug.

Convictions in such cases are extremely rare and Customs and Excise
investigators likened the case to a killer convicted of murder where no
body is found.

Ronald and Sylvia Benn, both aged 40, were said to have bought expensive
cars, hired a butler and turned their home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester,
into a palace with profits from their part in a £500,000 international
narcotics racket.

Investigators using a procedure known as Condor found traces of cocaine in
their vacuum cleaner and on bank notes retrieved from a hoard of cash
uncovered in their BMW as they prepared to board a ferry for Holland.

The banknote evidence was enough to convict them at a week-long trial at
Manchester crown court last year and yesterday Benn was sentenced to nine
years and his wife to six.

Investigators used a “shake and vac” method in which banknotes are shaken
over a foil sheet, with drug traces then swept up with a miniature vacuum
cleaner.

The Benns were stopped by Customs as they set off on their 17th trip to
Holland in less than 18 months. More than £63,000 in cash was found in the
boot of their car.

Judge Anthony Hammond was told that in a few months the couple had settled
debts of £30,000, paid off part of their mortgage, begun taking holidays in
expensive foreign hotels and bought shares in two Blackpool hotels.

Mr Benn bought his wife a red Mercedes convertible sports car as a birthday
present and they built an underground garage. A local man was employed as
butler.

The Benns often took their two teenage daughters with them on their trips
to Holland to allay suspicion but their regular journeys and extravagant
lifestyle attracted Customs officers' attention.

The judge said the smuggling operation had been designed to net profits of
more than £500,000 and it was estimated more than £160,000 could have
passed through the couple's hands.

He said: “I will not read each of you a lecture about the evil of drugs. It
is well known and well documented. Serious sentences are called for these
offences.”

Stephen Riorden QC, for Ronald Benn, who has a previous conviction for
drugs possession, said he had become involved in something that was not in
his nature. David Fish QC, representing Mrs Benn, said the case was a
tragedy for her.

Neighbours said the Benns had appeared to be like any other family. One
said: “There was nothing out of the ordinary about them. But we did notice
new cars and that Mrs Benn started doing her shopping in a taxi.”

Copyright Guardian Media Group plc 1998