Smugglers' threat to UK carp

Smugglers' threat to UK carp

The 262 fish were bought in Belgium

Carp stocks in Britain could have been put at risk by two smugglers who tried to import more than 1.8 tonnes of diseased fish into the country, a court heard.

Mark Dallas and Lee Coles failed to notify the authorities about a consignment of 262 large carp - some contaminated with a virus - but were caught at Folkestone after they came through the Chanel Tunnel.

The seizure was the largest ever of illegally imported live fish.

If the cargo had not been discovered, the consequences could been disastrous, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Paul Feldberg, prosecuting, said the particular strain of the disease Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) had never before been seen in this country.

An outbreak could wipe out up to 80% of an affected stock - including the valuable Koi carp commonly found in garden ponds.

Mark Dallas, 37, of The Bungalow, Old Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, trading as Premier Fish Supplies, admitted illegally import importing the fish.

The court heard he had two convictions for similar offences.

Large profits were to be made at the cost of potentially devastating effects to the environment

Judge Warwick McKinnon

The maximum penalty is two years in jail. Dallas was sentenced to a nine-month suspended term.

His co-defendant Lee Coles, 29, of Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 100 hours' community service.

The court heard they brought the consignment, valued at up to £90,000, from a Belgian importer.

James Lendle, for Dallas, said his client was an experienced fish dealer who had never before been sold diseased fish.

A former bankrupt, he now ran a carwash business, employing seven people.

He had parted from his wife and was caring for their three children.

Cathy Bradshaw, for Coles, said he took out a £4,000 bank loan to pay for the fish and hoped to triple his investment.

Judge Warwick McKinnon said the offences were serious.

Flouting of regulations

"Large profits were to be made at the cost of potentially devastating effects to the environment," he said.

He said Dallas was more culpable as he was an experienced fish dealer.

"A custodial sentence is absolutely essential, due to the grave nature of the offence," he said.

"I do feel, just, that I can find exceptional circumstances, not that I do that with any relish because of the flouting of regulations."