A greedy cocaine trafficker who made over a millio

A greedy cocaine trafficker who made over a million pounds
from his evil trade over a five year period – during which time
he even drew the dole – was jailed for 15 years today Wednesday.

And he was promised another two years on top unless he
pays pnds stlg 110,000.

He was given two years to pay the cash – confiscated
under the drug trafficking laws – or serve a total of 17
years.

Bernard Blackwood, a 37-year-old jeweller from Birdhurst
Rise, South Croydon, was dumbfounded as he was led to the cells
at Southwark Crown Court.

The racket had involved sending hard cover books to Columbia
in South America to a third party who would put them back
in the post – packed with cocaine – marked: ‘Return to
sender.

‘
Various pick-up addresses were used by Blackwood in
the South London area.

Ms Nicola Merrick, prosecuting, said he was arrested
after the authorities intercepted two parcels containing
the drug – worth more than pnds stlg 100,000 – and kept
observation on him.

He had set up false bank accounts and over a five and a half
year period he sent 186,000 US dollars to South America in
exchange for 62 kilos of cocaine which he sold for around
pnds stlg 1.

5m.

Blackwood denied but was convicted of conspiracy
to smuggle the drug between 1985 and 1991.

In that time he obtained state benefits of some pnds
stlg 10,000.

Judge Valerie Pearlman told him: ‘Your method was clever and
deliberate over a long period of time.

‘Large sums of money were paid into your accounts although
virtually nothing remains.

After your arrest, and while on bail,
you did your best to dissipate and conceal those sums.

‘
Handing down the 15 year term, she added: ‘Anybody who trafficks
in hard drugs knows the misery and degradation caused to people.

Traffickers also know they can expect this kind of sentence.

‘
Blackwood did not give evidence during his trial.

His half-brother, bank clerk Garfield Wallace, 29, of Martell
Road, SE21, was cleared of the conspiracy.

He insisted he knew
nothing about parcels containing cocaine or of false bank accounts.

ENDS