Cocaine Found In Bio Claire Skin Lightening Cream

Photo Credit: IOffer

I’m absolutely appalled by this news story.

I think the moral here is to tread with caution when dealing with ‘unknown’ companies. Always go for reputable ones. Here on this blog, I make it an effort to avoid trying or promoting products that can lead to situations like this. Empower yourself by not only knowing what’s in a particular skin lightener, but the company/organization that is selling it.

Official link: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/crime/Smugglers-concealed-cocaine-skin-cream/article-2740332-detail/article.html

"A Bristol woman has been jailed for her part in a plot to smuggle cocaine into the country hidden in skin cream.

Priya Singh, of Trendlewood Park, Stapleton, was sentenced to two years for her role in the operation when she appeared at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

A second person – Jerome Kelly, 28, of Bath – was sent to prison for seven-and-a-half years for possession with intent to supply cocaine.

The investigation was launched after two parcels were intercepted at Heathrow airport on a flight from Jamaica to London.

The parcels were from a person giving an address in Kingston, Jamaica, and were being sent to Singh.

Closer examination of the two parcels indicated they contained six pots of Bio Claire skin lightening cream and a tube of Cetaphil cream. The cream in the pots was found to be "unusually grainy" in texture so were sent for tests.

These showed cocaine was present in the cream

Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Operation Atrium anti-drugs officers were notified and the package was sent to Bristol, where the contents were removed and replaced with six identical containers.

A delivery then took place at Singh's home near Blackberry Hill, where she and Kelly were arrested.

A set of digital electronic scales commonly used by drugs suppliers and a quantity of cash were also found at Singh's address.

A further warrant at an address linked to Kelly in Wesley Hill, Kingswood, resulted in the seizure of heroin and 2.15 grams of benzylpiperazine – a controlled class C drug – and 91.04g of phenacetin – a commonly used cutting agent for mixing with cocaine.

Scales contaminated with phenacetin, caffeine and cocaine were found.

A subsequent search of Kelly's home in Bath resulted in the recovery of a ten-ton hydraulic press – commonly used by major class A drugs dealers to press compacted cocaine mixed with cutting agents into blocks for onward distribution.

After the case, Inspector Steve Coghlan said: "Drug dealers are constantly coming up with new ways to try to evade the law but we will be relentless in our pursuit to arrest and convict them.

These are significant sentences and should send a strong message."