A Metropolitan Police call handler has pleaded not guilty to attempting to smuggle drugs concealed as peanut porridge into the UK. Donna’ree Bennett, 33, appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday to deny the three offences.
Charges and Allegations
Bennett is accused of hiding a stash of cocaine in her luggage. She denied fraudulent evasion of a prohibition relating to an alleged attempt to import Class A drug cocaine into the UK on April 19, 2024.
She also pleaded not guilty to two further charges of transferring and possessing criminal property relating to cash alleged to be from the proceeds of crime. Those alleged offences are said to have taken place between November 1, 2022 and January 31, 2024.
Investigation and Trial Date
The defendant was charged following an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Judge Anuja Dhir KC set a timetable for the case with a trial from August 23 next year. Bennett, from Hackney, north London, was granted continued unconditional bail.
