Seven men charged following massive bust of 1.3 tonnes of cocaine in UK
The class A drugs that had arrived from Sierra Leone in west Africa were hidden in 20 kilo sacks with a cover load of flour
The massive haul of cocaine
Seven men have been charged in the UK after 1.3 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated £140m (€162m) was discovered in a shipping container in Suffolk last year.
The class A drugs that had arrived from Sierra Leone in west Africa were hidden in 20 kilo sacks with a cover load of flour.
They were destined to be delivered to an industrial estate in Wigan, Lancashire, when NCA officers arrested nine suspects in a series of co-ordinated strikes.
Last night seven of those arrested were charged with conspiring to supply cocaine between 27 February 2020 and 29 November 2023. Two others were released on bail.
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Those charged include Stephen Martland, 68, of Lakeland Gardens, Chorley, Lancashire and Paul Mockett, 49, of Stump Lane, Chorley, Lancashire.
Darren Wetton, 55, of Ashby Street, Chorley, Lancashire, was also charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis between 01 December 2022 and 10 December 2022.
Darryn Schofield, 44, of no fixed abode; Neil Maguire, 44, of Georgia Close, Bootle, Liverpool; Neil Foley, 45, of Kingsway Avenue, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire and Paul O’Shea, 45, of Edge Lane, Crosby, Liverpool, were also charged.
Four men appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court today and three appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court. All were remanded to custody apart from Wetton who was bailed.
They will all next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 3 January 2024.
Richie Davies, National Crime Agency Branch Commander, said: “This was a massive haul of cocaine with an estimated street value of £140m.
“There is no doubt these drugs would have been sold on into communities across the UK fuelling violence, exploitation and misery.
“Since the seizure of the drugs the agency has been working intensely to identify and pursue those responsible.”
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