A woman shouted “WHERE IS THE MONEY” at barristers as she and her husband were jailed at Minshull Street Crown Court on October 20 for their roles in an international drug trafficking operation worth more than £1 million.
Guixiang Liu and her husband Yanfeng He, both 48 and of Kenmere Grove in Moston, used cushion covers, speakers and picture frames to conceal shipments of MDMA and cannabis. The drugs were prepared for shipment to destinations including the Solomon Islands, Argentina and Australia, in what the court heard was a “sophisticated, organised, sustained” operation running between June and December 2019.
Couple convicted after trial
Liu and He were convicted at trial earlier this year of conspiring to fraudulently evade prohibition by importing MDMA and cannabis, and conspiracy to supply the same drugs. The parcels were intercepted by Border Force officers, which prompted an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The NCA uncovered parcels of drugs labelled with fake names and sent around the world, facilitated through the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Prosecution barrister Louise Kitchin told the court the parcels included around 24 kilograms of MDMA with an estimated street value of £1.1 million.
Border Force officers also intercepted a 7.4 kilogram package of vacuum-sealed cannabis concealed in cushion covers, with an estimated street value of £75,500. The packages were destined for five addresses controlled and at times occupied by both defendants, including Napoleons bar in the Gay Village, where Guixiang Liu was director and premises licence holder. The other addresses included the couple's home, Scrooby Road in Doncaster, and Ferry Road Avenue and Nicholson Street in Edinburgh.
Search warrant reveals more drugs
A search warrant carried out on Nicholson Street turned up around three kilograms of MDMA and 60 tablets intended for shipping to Argentina, with an estimated street value of £300,000. Around £160,000 worth of cannabis was also found at this address, bringing the total estimated value of drugs linked to the couple to more than £1.5 million.
Chinese names thought to be random and likely made up were used on the parcels, the NCA said. Ms Kitchin told the court: “These were not isolated incidents, but a continual commercial trafficking operation over six months. There were links with organised crime suppliers, multiple addresses used, and sophisticated methods of concealment, in art works, picture frames, tubes, speakers, and cushion covers. It was not limited to receiving but also packaging and preparing for onward movement.”
Outburst in court
When Ms Kitchin moved to the subject of the Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, Liu, who had been tearful throughout, stood and began to speak. “DID YOU FIND THE MONEY?” she shouted at Ms Kitchin through tears. “YOU SAID I WOULD GET THE MONEY - WHERE IS IT?” She then sat and wept with her face in her hands, prompting presiding Judge Neil Usher to order a fifteen-minute break in proceedings. After leaving the dock she could be heard in court continuing to exclaim.
After returning to court, her barrister Michael Lavery said Liu “maintained her denials” and had no previous convictions and was of previous good character. “She has a charitable background and is from a good, honest family in China with respected parents who hold significant posts,” he said. “They have two daughters aged 12 and 16, who will need much support from their parents who will not be able to provide it.”
Barrister Richard Brigden said He had been a “worker” with “others above him in the hierarchy”. “The court cannot ignore that there were more sophisticated people directing him,” he said. “He has a small number of previous driving convictions and since 2019 has moved away from criminality. The delay of nearly seven years is quite extraordinary. He has significant health problems including heart disease. There is another side to him, he is involved in charitable works with a positive impact in the community.”
Judge rejects defence claims
Judge Usher rejected their assertions that the couple had not had a “leading role”. “There was sustained participation, with commercial quantities and careful planning on an international scale,” he said. “You stood to make substantial financial gain from this and were heavily involved. It only ended because of the intervention of law enforcement. I have no doubt that if this had not happened, your activities would have continued. Anyone involved in this supports the whole enterprise and I must consider what would have happened in the future as well.”
He also disagreed that the seven-year delay had had a “detrimental” impact on the defendants, handing them each a sentence of 15 years. Addressing Liu and He, he said: “You have two young daughters whose letter I have read. I have no doubt they will be devastated to lose both their parents, it is truly tragic. But the responsibility for that lies with the two of you, not with me. You put greed and criminality before the welfare of your daughters.”
