2 May 2014
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has launched an appeal for volunteers who work in aviation or live near small airports to assist its officers by reporting any unusual activity.
The Agency said the Pegasus Project, which sees police forces and Border Force working in partnership and in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority, gives those “in the best position to spot unusual behaviour the chance to gather information”.
With over 3,000 aerodromes, small airfields, farmers’ field strips, and helipads, as well as almost 90,000 private light-aircraft coming into the country each year it is impossible for Border Force staff to be on permanent guard at more remote points.
There are concerns that organised criminals and terrorists could target the strips for crimes including illegal immigration, importing illegal substances and trafficking firearms.
David Armond, Director of the NCA’s Border Policing Command, said, “This is an area where we are convinced the public can really help law enforcement disrupt criminal activity.”
“Information could be key to an investigation into an organised criminal network or terrorist group.”
Smugglers jailed
An NCA spokesman said that smuggling was extremely rare – but it does happen.
In 2008, two men were jailed after they ran a drugs and guns route in north Essex.
It was the locals on the ground that saw Sidney Wright (52) throw guns and drugs from his blue Cessna light aircraft and Douglas Garrod (29) pick them up at Great Oakley Airfield in Bradfield, near Manningtree.
Police pulled over Garrod and discovered two kilos of cocaine and seven semi-automatic handguns.
Wright, of Seaforth Road, Westcliff, was jailed for a total of 17 years.
Getaway driver Garrod, of Siena Mews, Old Heath, Colchester, was jailed for a total of eight years.
At the time the owner of the air field, Tim Spurge, said that Wright had given him a false name – and he hadn’t followed up with any checks.
He commented to local press, “We will be looking carefully at our vetting process and people coming to us.”
<a href=’http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/’ target=’_blank’>www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/</a>
