Mum who sold drug boats avoids jail
A Suffolk company director whose business made millions from selling high speed boats to drugs barons has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence today.
A SUFFOLK company director whose business made millions from selling high speed boats to drugs barons has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence today.
Mother of three Ellen George, of Colville Road, Lowestoft, ran Crompton Marine with her partner of 20 years Neil Davison.
The 43-year-old George had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering and a tax evasion of nearly �400,000 before her sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court.
Over a six year period Crompton Marine was paid �21.8 million, at least six and a half million pounds of which was in cash.
You may also want to watch:
Prosecutor Richard Jory told the court the money was received largely in connection with production and supply of Ridged Hulled Inflatable Boats purchased by individuals whose identities had been hidden.
George was an integral part of the business which covered its tracks through false documentation.
Most Read
- 1 'This is very welcome': Go-ahead for HMO close to town centre
- 2 Groundworks start at site of new McDonald’s restaurant
- 3 Junction closed for third crossing preparations
- 4 Suffolk braced for up to 10cm of snow as warnings upgraded
- 5 Londoners fined for travelling to stay at second home in Norfolk
- 6 Nine still under investigation after man knifed in village brawl
- 7 Takeaway deli set to open in coastal town
- 8 Tributes to man, 31, who died on Christmas Day
- 9 Met Office warns of snow at weekend
- 10 Name unveiled for new Bungay SEND school
The RHIBs were used for drug running from the northern tip of Africa to Southern Spain.
They were so powerful they could outrun boats used by the authorities.
The organised crime gangs who bought the vessels are believed to have made in the region of �30 million from their drug running enterprises, according to customs sources.
The tax evasion charge related to �394,000 received from the rental of around 100 properties owned by Davison.
Davison is currently a fugitive after going on the road in Spain following his and George's arrests in March 2004.
