Cocaine Stomach Swallower Jailed for Over Eight Years
Jamaican Clayton Johnson tried to smuggle a whopping 56 packages of cocaine inside his stomach into the UK. On top of that, he hid even more drugs inside two pairs of specially modified shoes.
Debt Led to Dangerous Drug Smuggling Plot
The 52-year-old from bromley/" title="Bromley" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bromley was desperate to repay a £6,000 debt after damaging a boat in Jamaica. Johnson planned to flog the drugs in the UK to clear what he owed.
Attempt Foiled at Gatwick Airport
- Johnson landed at Gatwick on 29 August.
- Border Force discovered cocaine concealed inside two pairs of shoes in his suitcase.
- A body scan revealed dozens of cocaine packages inside his stomach and four more in his rectum.
- He was promptly arrested and handed over to the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Past Smuggling Attempt & Harsh Sentence
Johnson admitted this wasn’t his first rodeo—he tried smuggling cocaine in 2012 too but was caught after falling ill and needing hospital treatment.
Andy Noyes, NCA Branch Commander, said: “This was not the first time that Clayton Johnson had attempted to smuggle cocaine into our country, and his sentence reflects his repeated efforts to break the law for financial gain.”
“Swallowing these powerful drugs was incredibly dangerous and could have caused great harm to Johnson or the public if his venture had succeeded.”
“By removing this cocaine from the market, the NCA and Border Force have prevented it from reaching UK streets, where class A drugs fuel violence and exploitation.”
“We continue to work with partners to target and disrupt organised crime groups and protect the public.”
On 5 November, Isleworth Crown Court sentenced Johnson to eight years and three months in prison for importing Class A drugs.
