Shame of father over son’s part in massive drugs haul

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday that Martin Fernandez-Costello and Joshua Lowe were spotted at Ferrybridge Service Station on September 10 last year as the transfer of boxes was made from the lorry to a van they were using.

When the boxes were opened, bags containing 100.3 kilogrammes of cannabis were found inside, which if sold in bulk was worth between £400-500,000 but on the streets could raise as much as £859,000.

Mark McKone prosecuting told the court following the arrest the pair’s home in Argent Way, Holmewood, Bradford was searched and a small safe was found in a front bedroom.

Inside officers discovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had originally fired blanks but had been modified to discharge bullets and six 9mm cartridges suitable for use in it.

They also found 14,901 blue TFMPP tablets – often sold as being similar to Ecstasy – and 3.94 grammes of TFMPP powder estimated in total to be worth £37,400.

Fernandez-Costello, 51, who admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession of the class C drugs, the pistol and the ammunition was jailed for a total of nine years.

Recorder Abdul Iqbal said he accepted more serious criminals were involved in the drug importation but he must have been “a trusted lieutenant”.

“They would not have entrusted such a key role to anyone who was not a close confidante.”

He said the value of the boxes demonstrated the “huge profits” to be made by criminals in trafficking drugs into Britain and it was “chilling” to think a gun was also involved.

Lowe, 19, was sent to a young offender institution for two and a half years after he admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Recorder Iqbal said he accepted he played a subordinate role.

The German lorry driver was cleared earlier in the week after he denied knowing the boxes contained cannabis. He said he had collected them in Amsterdam after being directed there from Germany with his pizza load.

Robin Frieze for Fernandez-Costello said after finding his work as a joiner had dried up a few years ago he was offered a driving job “and quickly realised he was working for an organisation involved in the drug trade”.

He had driven for them on occasions and was “deeply ashamed” on the day concerned that he had taken his son along with him to meet the lorry.

He was also looking after the safe for his “employers” and would not have made money from the drugs only receiving a small wage for driving.

Tim Stead for Lowe said he was shocked to discover the commercial value of the cannabis when arrested.