A 74 year old wizened fruit-seller from Bogota, Co

A 74 year old wizened fruit-seller from Bogota, Colombia, was
jailed for six years and recommended for deportation at Isleworth
Crown Court today (Monday) when he admitted illegally importing
#150,000 worth of cocaine.

Never having travelled abroad before, Juan Florez-Florez, was
stopped in the transit area at Heathrow Airport as he left the
Colombian flight on his way to Spain, said Mr David Waters,
prosecuting.

His suitcase was searched and found to have a false
bottom containing just over a kilo of cocaine.

He admitted the offence ‘but was very vague about the purchase
of his ticket and where he lived and details of that sort’, said
counsel.

‘He accepted responsibility for the cocaine and said he was
going to offer it for sale in Spain.

It seems clear from enquiries
that this was not true and this defendant was a courier,’ said
counsel.

Florez worked all his life as a tailor until his eyes and
hands could no longer do the job, said Mr John Williams, defending.

He then earned a living selling fruit but he needed money for medical
bills for his failing health.

He was married to a younger woman.

Jailing him Judge Andrew Phelan said the usual sentence was 10
years but he would impose six because of Florez’s age and health.

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