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£80m of cocaine found on fishing trawler near Falmouth £80m of cocaine found on fishing trawler near Falmouth
(about 13 hours later)
More than a tonne of cocaine with a street value of £80 million was recovered from a vessel off the English coast. More than a tonne of cocaine with a street value of £80m was recovered from a vessel off the English coast.
Officers from the National Crime Agency and the Border Force boarded the British-registered converted fishing trawler just south of Falmouth in Cornwall on Thursday. Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Border Force boarded the British-registered converted fishing trawler just south of Falmouth in Cornwall on Thursday.
They discovered approximately 50 bags of the drug on the vessel, named Bianca.They discovered approximately 50 bags of the drug on the vessel, named Bianca.
All three crew were charged with importing cocaine.All three crew were charged with importing cocaine.
The owner of the vessel, Michael McDermott, 67, and the crew, Gerald Van De Kooij, 26, and David Pleasants, 57, were remanded in custody by Bodmin Magistrates' Court. The owner of the boat, Michael McDermott, 67, and the crew, Gerald Van De Kooij, 26, and David Pleasants, 57, were remanded in custody by Bodmin Magistrates' Court.
Their next hearing is at Bristol Crown Court on the 20 September. Their next hearing is at Bristol Crown Court on 20 September.
Mike Stepney, from the Border Force, said: "This is one of the most significant drugs seizures ever made in the UK.Mike Stepney, from the Border Force, said: "This is one of the most significant drugs seizures ever made in the UK.
"By working closely with the NCA and other partners, we were able to intercept this vessel before it could deliver its £80 million cargo to the UK". "By working closely with the NCA and other partners, we were able to intercept this vessel before it could deliver its £80m cargo to the UK."
Mark Harding, of the National Crime Agency, added: "A seizure on this scale is likely have a significant disruptive impact right along the supply chain, leaving criminals with large debts to be covered.Mark Harding, of the National Crime Agency, added: "A seizure on this scale is likely have a significant disruptive impact right along the supply chain, leaving criminals with large debts to be covered.
"And it will have knock on effects, disrupting further criminality that would have been funded by the profits of this venture." "And it will have knock-on effects, disrupting further criminality that would have been funded by the profits of this venture."