A POOLE man who was part of a criminal gang that imported drugs and cigarettes through docks in Essex has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Mark Howie, 51, of Milton Road, Poole, was found guilty of importing 36.7kgs of cocaine and conspiracy to cheat the revenue on tobacco products imported into the UK.

Mr Howie, who was described as the facilitator by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court after a seven-week long trial along with four co-accused.

The rulings follow a complicated investigation by SOCA into the importation of nearly 37 kilos of cocaine and a separate investigation led by HMRC into the importation of eight million illegal cigarettes at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

The gang included port staff working both inside and outside the docks to allow the entry of the drugs and cigarettes and the theft of legitimate freight.

Chris Farrimond, regional head of investigations for SOCA, said: “These men were not plucky opportunists but hardened criminals prepared to use their positions to steal or smuggle seemingly anything that made them a profit.”

Steve Jones, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “If this gang had not been stopped they would have made millions of pounds at the expense of honest shopkeepers and flooded local markets with cheap and unregulated cigarettes.”