'Huge loss for organised crime': One tonne of cocaine seized from Cornwall fishing boat as four charged
The seizure of the cocaine represented a "huge loss" for the organised crime gang behind the attempt to import the drugs into the UK, authorities have said.
Sunday 15 September 2024 00:25, UK
Approximately one tonne of cocaine has been seized from a fishing boat off the coast of Cornwall, as four people have been charged.
Border Force officers intercepted the boat off the coast of Newquay on Friday afternoon.
Four men were on board the vessel, named Lily Lola, and they have been arrested and charged.
Michael Kelly, 45, of Portway, Manchester; Jon Paul Williams, 46, of St Thomas, Swansea; Patrick Godfrey, 30, of Port Tennant, Swansea; and Jake Marchant, 26, of no fixed address, were all charged with importing a controlled class A drug.
They have been remanded into custody and will appear at Bodmin Magistrates' Court on Monday.
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Derek Evans, branch commander of the National Crime Agency, said: "This is a significant amount of cocaine that will represent a huge loss for the organised crime group that attempted to import it into the UK.
"With our partners at Border Force and the Joint Maritime Security Centre, we have successfully removed this harmful drug consignment from the criminal marketplace."
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He added: "Its onward supply would have fuelled exploitation through county lines activity as well as serious violence and knife crime.
"Our investigation into this importation continues."