12 years for on-the-run drug smuggler

Wednesday 23rd December 2009, 2:59PM GMT.

Justin Wan, who disappeared a week before his trial was due to start in Exeter in January

A FUGITIVE drug dealer convicted of offences including masterminding the smuggling of £125,000 worth of ecstasy into the Island has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

But Justin Wan, also known as Chi Weng Wan, had to be sentenced in his absence at Exeter Crown Court on Monday, as he is still on the run from the authorities after disappearing a week before his trial was due to start January.

At that trial he was found guilty of conspiring to supply ecstasy and cannabis. Wan was convicted on two counts of drug trafficking at Exeter Crown Court on 8 June but did not turn up for that court appearance either.

He was then sentenced this week after the judge said that he was not prepared to leave it any longer.

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