Falklands : TWO ARRESTED FOR DRUGS IMPORTATION APPEAR IN MAGISTRATES COURT
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 04.11.2008 (Article Archived on 18.11.2008)

Today Jesus Carballo Martinez, 26 and Rogelio Curras Pastoriza, 41 from Galicia, Spain have appeared before Senior Magistrate Claire Faulds for importation of 30.6 kg of cocaine on Thursday, 30 October 2008 Jesus Carballo Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge, while Rogelio Curras Pastoriza did not enter a plea but sought legal representation.

TWO ARRESTED FOR DRUGS IMPORTATION APPEAR IN MAGISTRATES COURT

By J. Brock (FINN)

Today Jesus Carballo Martinez, 26  and Rogelio Curras Pastoriza, 41  from Galicia, Spain have appeared before Senior Magistrate Claire Faulds for importation of 30.6 kg of cocaine on Wednesday, 29 October 2008  Jesus Carballo Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge, while Rogelio Curras Pastoriza did not enter a plea but sought legal representation.

According to a report on FIRS Jesus Carballo Martinez said the drugs were not intended for importation into the Falklands.  Ros Cheek, prosecuting, said that it is thought the men had worked together for a number of years but had been aboard the Ventura for only a short while.  The FIRS report said that 29 packages of Cocaine were obtained in a brothel in Montevideo, Uruguay and were paid 20,000.00 Euros to transport it back to Spain.

The case was adjourned for a week to allow the completion of further investigations.  Both men will remain in custody.

Four other men arrested on Thursday were released on police bail pending further enquiries.  Both men could face up to 10 years in prison for importing cocaine.

Statement by Cllr Mike Summers(As recorded on FIRS):

“I am delighted that the officials in Customs and Police have been able to make this discovery and arrest.  We do, of course, have a zero tolerance policy here in terms of drugs and drug culture and we wouldn’t want any part of the Falklands infrastructure being used as a currier route.  I think many of us have had feelings for some while that potentially the Falklands were a bit of a soft option, certainly in terms of shipping but also in terms of air-bridge.  You can wander in and out of Brize Norton any time you like.  Nobody ever checks to see what you (have in) your luggage or anything like that.  So, I think we have been a potential target for drugs operatives and congratulations to the customs people and to the Police for making this discovery.  And I am sure they will be co-operating fully with various other international authorities who are working on the war against drugs.  It’s unfortunate that a local company has got itself unwittingly caught up in this but I am sure they will be giving every assistance that they can to closing off this route.  None of us, whether involved in the Fishing business or not would want our industry and our reputations sullied by the thought that we may be used as a drugs route.  So well done to everybody so far.”

Since this report was first written the four others arrested have been released without charge as the Royal Falkland Islands Police are taking no further action against them.

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