Drug smuggler jailed for 12 years

Littleborough man Alan Burgoyne sentenced to 12 years in jail for drug smuggling.

A Rochdale drug trafficker has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for his part in trying to smuggle £200,000 worth of cocaine into the country.

Alan Burgoyne, 54, of Littleborough, was originally charged in 2003 after being linked to 3 kilos of cocaine found on two men at Liverpool John Lennon airport.

However while on bail and awaiting his trial he went on the run.

But he was arrested by the Dutch authorities and jailed in 2005, after being found guilty for trying to smuggle 111 kilos of heroin and eight kilos of cocaine into the UK.

After serving out a four year term in Holland, he was released earlier this year and was extradited back to the UK to face a trial for his original arrest.

During the four day trial at Manchester Crown court the jury were told that Burgoyne’s finger prints were found on the packages of cocaine and he was linked to the crime through travel records and phone calls.

His Honour Judge Anthony Hammond sentencing Burgoyne said: “You have been prepared to live on crime for most of your life. This is a filthy trade damaging those that take the drugs and damaging the wider community because they thieve and commit other offences to pay people like you. You were at a serious point in this conspiracy clearly controlling others.”

Tony Webb, HMRC Criminal Investigation North West, says he is pleased Burgoyne has finally been brought to justice.

“Not only did we prevent a very large quantity of class A drugs from reaching the streets of the UK but we ensured that this criminal pays for his illegal activities,” he said.

“Drug dealing and addiction brings misery to many and fuels crime within our communities. The sentences handed down by the court will act as a deterrent to those involved in drug trafficking and clearly shows that crime doesn't pay.”