Pubdate: Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2003 BBC
Contact:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558

THREE ARRESTED OVER 'DRUGS WEBSITE'

Police believe they have uncovered the first website in the UK allegedly 
designed to sell illegal drugs over the internet.

Two men and a woman were arrested and were being interviewed on Monday 
following claims they had run an internet site which is thought to have 
supplied cannabis through the post.

Detectives believe customers could order drugs through a password-protected 
website and were then posted their orders.

A 37-year old man and a 33-year old woman both from Wheathampstead, 
Hertfordshire, and a 35-year old man from Brighton, Sussex, were arrested.

Computers Seized

Warrants were executed at three addresses by Hertfordshire and Sussex 
police forces with the aid of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU).

Four computers were seized.

It is alleged that an estimated UKP500,000 passed through bank accounts 
associated with the website.

The accounts have now been frozen.

Matt Cornish, of Hertfordshire Police said: "We believe this may be the 
first case of its kind in the country."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman