Customs officer on drugs charges

A Gatwick customs officer has appeared in court accused of importing class A drugs into the UK.

Richard Nathaniel Riley, 52, of Dulwich, south London, was one of six to appear before Bow Street magistrates in London on cocaine-smuggling charges.

A seventh person, Riley's wife, Marjorie Bernadette Chin-Riley, 50, of the same address, appeared at court charged with money-laundering offences.

Two others also arrested in raids this week have been released without charge.

City-wide raids

The charges follow an operation by Customs and Excise in which cocaine with an estimated street value of £2.4m was seized in raids across London by more than 100 customs and police officers.

All six who appeared in court on Saturday were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 9 July.

The other five were Peter Lloyd Crosdale, 45, of Harlesden, north London; Pauline Bernard, 40, of Harlesden; Harline Decordova Young, 40, of Northolt, Middlesex; Stephen Abrahamson, 28, of Enfield, Middlesex; and Kelly Anne-Marie Little, 23, of Enfield.

Mrs Chin-Riley was bailed to appear before Bow Street magistrates on 9 July.