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Accused 'organised £1m drug plot' Accused 'organised £1m drug plot'
(about 2 hours later)
Six men accused over an alleged £1m plot to import drugs into Jersey set it up as "just a little starter", a jury in the island has been told.Six men accused over an alleged £1m plot to import drugs into Jersey set it up as "just a little starter", a jury in the island has been told.
John Welsh, 43, and Curtis Warren, 46, of Liverpool, James O'Brien, 44, of Glasgow and Jason Woodward, of Dartford deny conspiracy to import drugs.John Welsh, 43, and Curtis Warren, 46, of Liverpool, James O'Brien, 44, of Glasgow and Jason Woodward, of Dartford deny conspiracy to import drugs.
Paul Hunt, 27, and Oliver Lucas, 23, from Jersey, also denied the charge.Paul Hunt, 27, and Oliver Lucas, 23, from Jersey, also denied the charge.
Prosecutor Howard Sharp told the Royal Court Mr Warren "orchestrated the plans to swamp the island with drugs".Prosecutor Howard Sharp told the Royal Court Mr Warren "orchestrated the plans to swamp the island with drugs".
'Amsterdam link''Amsterdam link'
Mr Sharp, prosecuting advocate, told the court in St Helier: "Warren was the senior figure, he was the man at the top who pulled the strings.Mr Sharp, prosecuting advocate, told the court in St Helier: "Warren was the senior figure, he was the man at the top who pulled the strings.
"He had considerable clout and influence and we say he orchestrated this conspiracy."He had considerable clout and influence and we say he orchestrated this conspiracy.
"He was the crucial link between the sale in Holland and the purchasers in Jersey.""He was the crucial link between the sale in Holland and the purchasers in Jersey."
All six men conspired to acquire 180 kilograms of cannabis, from drug traffickers in Amsterdam, with a view to selling it on the streets of Jersey, the court was told.All six men conspired to acquire 180 kilograms of cannabis, from drug traffickers in Amsterdam, with a view to selling it on the streets of Jersey, the court was told.
Mr Sharp said Mr Welsh had known Mr Warren for years and was his right-hand man and organiser in Jersey.Mr Sharp said Mr Welsh had known Mr Warren for years and was his right-hand man and organiser in Jersey.
Covert recordingsCovert recordings
Mr O'Brien's role, he told the jury, was to help import the drugs by boat from the French coast.Mr O'Brien's role, he told the jury, was to help import the drugs by boat from the French coast.
The others were to provide part-payment for the cannabis and were also set to be involved in transporting the drugs back across Europe to Jersey, the court heard.The others were to provide part-payment for the cannabis and were also set to be involved in transporting the drugs back across Europe to Jersey, the court heard.
Mr Sharp told the jury: "When you hear the evidence you will see that Warren has a light touch.
"You won't see him handling the drugs or shipping bags of cash around.
"He leaves such chores, the truly risky part of the drugs business, to others lower down the food chain."
The jury heard much of the evidence was obtained through covert surveillance of the accused, including telephone calls, by the States of Jersey Police.The jury heard much of the evidence was obtained through covert surveillance of the accused, including telephone calls, by the States of Jersey Police.
Officers followed the gang and made covert tape recordings of their conversations and phone calls - including one where Mr Warren allegedly described the plot as "just a little starter". Officers followed the gang and made covert tape recordings of their conversations and phone calls - including one where Mr Warren allegedly described the plot as "just a little starter" and another between Mr Warren and Mr Welsh allegedly discussing the plan.
Mr Sharp said: "Put simply, we have Welsh on tape discussing importing a commercial quantity of cannabis into Jersey.
"As a matter of common sense, this cannot be a theoretical or fanciful discussion."
The trial continues.The trial continues.