British man smuggled cocaine from Grenada

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

NORTHAMPTON, England: A Chinese restaurant chef smuggled US$900,000 of cocaine into Britain from the Caribbean to pay off gambling debts, Northampton Crown Court heard Monday.

According to Britain's Press Association, San Keung Yau was one of a number of debt-ridden people who were tempted into becoming drugs "mules" after running up the losses in two casinos in the Leicester area.

The unsuccessful gamblers were targeted by two men - former policeman David Cheney, 56, and Sultan Merchant, 50 - to become couriers.

Yau is said to have been paid up to US$12,500 and enjoyed a two-week Caribbean holiday as part of the deal with a group of smugglers to import the class A drug into the UK.

The court heard that Customs officers had so far failed to find the leader of the British side of the drugs ring, a London- based West Indian known only as Derek.

Yau, 50, spent two weeks in Grenada before returning to the UK on October 6, 2002, with a suitcase containing up to seven kilos of cocaine, said Martin Beddoe, prosecuting. He was arrested in February last year.

The smuggling ring was exposed by a newspaper investigation which began when a reporter infiltrated the gang in July 2002.

The ringleader, Derek, would book flights and hotel accommodation for the mules and would arrange for their suitcases to be fitted with the drugs in false compartments.

Two of the leaders were arrested in October 2002 after the newspaper handed its evidence to Customs, two weeks after Yau returned from Grenada, said counsel.

The chef's mobile phone number was found on their phones and he was arrested in February.

Mr Beddoe said the jury would hear evidence that the chef had little or no money and substantial gambling debts.

He said: "Customs officers found evidence of his connection with the casino and evidence that before he went he had very little money.

"On the very day he came back on the 6th of October he had come into money. We submit it was a payoff for his services. He was in the two casinos in Leicester that very night and you may want to ask yourself what he was gambling with."

Yau denies one count of conspiracy to smuggle drugs.

The trial, before Judge Peter Morrell, was adjourned until Tuesday. 

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