Kerry Waitt HCA secures acquittal of HGV driver charged with importation of 32 kg of Cocaine

On 8th December 2021, a 54 year old Lithuanian driver "RP" was stopped at Dover Eastern Docks, driving a lorry loaded with aluminium destined for Cannock.

A search of his cab revealed a modified air-conditioning unit within which where concealed 32 packages containing 32 kilograms of high grade cocaine with an estimated street value of £2.5 million.

He was attended at the police station and at the Magistrates by other solicitors who raised no objection to the fact that the Police had provided a Russian language interpreter.

Following the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing, an application was made to transfer legal aid to Tuckers Solicitors.

This application was resisted, but was eventually granted when it was discovered that a letter to the defendant from his then solicitors was contaminated with cannabis.

The case was prepared for Trial by Linas Bajorunas, and Adrian Rohard in-house counsel held the brief.

As a result of the back log and custody time limit issues, the case was transferred from the Crown Court at Canterbury to be tried at the Crown Court at Winchester with a time estimate of 4-5 days.

Unfortunately, Adrian was obliged to return the brief and in-house Solicitor Advocate Kerry Waitt conducted the Trial.

Following a Trial, that ran for 7 days, RP was acquitted by a unanimous verdict, the jury having retired for just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Our client was so overcome with the verdict that he collapsed in the dock and had to be attended by paramedics.

Kerry Waitt commented that he would not have been able to secure an acquittal without the meticulous preparation and hard work on the part of Linas and Adrian.