A Metropolitan Police call handler has pleaded not guilty to attempting to smuggle cocaine concealed as peanut porridge into the UK.
Donna’ree Bennett, 33, from Hackney, appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday to deny three offences. She is accused of hiding a stash of cocaine in her luggage, and denied fraudulent evasion of a prohibition relating to an alleged attempt to import a Class A drug into the UK on 19 April 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.
Bennett was charged following an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The watchdog began its directed investigation in January 2024; the investigation was carried out by the Met’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command under its direction, and a file of evidence was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges in March 2026.
She had previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 7 October to face the charges.
Judge Anuja Dhir KC set a timetable for the case, with a trial due to begin on 23 August next year. Bennett was granted continued unconditional bail.
All three charges are denied, and the case will be decided at trial.
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