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Page 6 of 8 The Government’s own figures show three tonnes of cocaine were seized at UK ports and airports in 2006–07, just one-third of the amount in 2004–05; one tonne of heroin was seized, down from almost 2.5 tonnes in 2004–05. Drug experts are saying that smuggling drugs into the UK is the easiest it has been for 30 years. Cornwall’s long coastline undoubtedly continues to be an important gateway for smugglers, as it has for centuries. * Customs Confidential Anyone with information about smuggling or any other suspicious activity can call HM Customs & Excise in confidence on their 24/7 hotline, 0800-59-5000. Smuggling in Cornwall today A mobile phone bleeps. The Cornishman checks his screen: “Go to…” the text message begins, followed by co-ordinates for longitude and latitude. The smuggler enters the data in a GPS nautical navigator, jumps in his ‘fishing’ boat and heads to sea. “It points in the right direction. When you get there, it beeps,” an old customs hand said. “You haul up the lobster-pot or barrel or package and there are your drugs. You just send the money in the post.” The old arts of smuggling, with little craft used to navigate shallow waters and hide contraband in rocks, have reached the age of satellite technology. Are fishermen in Cornwall still doubling as smugglers, like their ancestors? The old customs hand added: “A large vessel full of contraband at sea, like a floating warehouse, meets smaller inshore craft that can land the goods in rocky coves. The word goes out to be in a certain place, at a certain time. Someone turns up at 4am and you do your shopping.” |
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