Wednesday 15 January 2014

Mystery Surrounds Respected Electrician Turned Cocaine Courier


A Wolverhampton electrician caught at Gatwick Airport with £270,000 worth of cocaine hidden inside three drink bottles has been jailed for four years.

Roy Grizzle, 53, of Redhurst Drive, Fordhouses had just stepped off a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica when he was stopped by UK Border Agency officers.

The smuggling operation has left the first-time offender's family shocked and baffled as to why the father-of-three, who has never been in trouble before, should become involved in such a risky and serious offence.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to being knowingly concerned in the importation of 2.172 kilos of 63% pure cocaine on November 7, last year.

The drugs were secreted within three bottles of aloe vera and Jamaican-born Grizzle tried to talk his way out of trouble.

“He gave an account of going to the St. James' area to sort out a property issue and had gone to a shop in Sandy Bay to buy the drinks and did not know anything about cocaine in them,” explained prosector Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag.

Grizzle's lawyer Mr. Kieron Berkeley said: “He was in Jamaica because he had been left some property, not of any real value, and was administering those affairs.

“He has no debts and is not an alcoholic or drug-addict and the family are ashamed their father is where he is.”

Grizzle has been in custody since his arrest and not offered any real explanation for the offence, added the lawyer.

“He has been inward looking and gone within himself, but it is not clear to me what the background to his offending is.”

Judge Jeremy Gold told Grizzle: “It is a great shame to see a man of your age standing across from me in a courtroom.

“You were living a blameless life with your family, but have now committed this serious offence.

“I can only assume that it was done for money.”

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