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Ex-detective jailed for drug plot Ex-detective jailed for drug plot
(30 minutes later)
A former Metropolitan Police detective has been jailed for 22 years for his part in a £200m cocaine-smuggling plot.A former Metropolitan Police detective has been jailed for 22 years for his part in a £200m cocaine-smuggling plot.
Michael Daly, 49, who is already serving eight years in jail for a similar conspiracy, was "driven by greed", police said.Michael Daly, 49, who is already serving eight years in jail for a similar conspiracy, was "driven by greed", police said.
Daly, who admitted playing a key role in the plot, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court in London.Daly, who admitted playing a key role in the plot, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court in London.
Alan Wells, 56, of Blenheim Road, Sidcup, who admitted his part in the conspiracy, was jailed for 15 years.Alan Wells, 56, of Blenheim Road, Sidcup, who admitted his part in the conspiracy, was jailed for 15 years.
Daly used skills and knowledge gained while working as a Metropolitan Police (Met) drug squad detective to smuggle 1,500kg (3,300lbs) of cocaine into the Irish Republic.Daly used skills and knowledge gained while working as a Metropolitan Police (Met) drug squad detective to smuggle 1,500kg (3,300lbs) of cocaine into the Irish Republic.
'Pivotal role''Pivotal role'
The cocaine was of 75% purity with a street value of £235m, the court heard.The cocaine was of 75% purity with a street value of £235m, the court heard.
He was "pivotal" to the plot's success and was due to share in the huge profits, the court heard.He was "pivotal" to the plot's success and was due to share in the huge profits, the court heard.
He was in overall charge of the logistics and also had local knowledge to plan the operation, as his family lived on the coast in the Irish Republic, the court heard.He was in overall charge of the logistics and also had local knowledge to plan the operation, as his family lived on the coast in the Irish Republic, the court heard.
Wells was paid £100,000 for his role in helping Daly to organise the logistics.Wells was paid £100,000 for his role in helping Daly to organise the logistics.
However, Daly and the gang were foiled when their boat ran out of fuel in rough seas and was shipwrecked off the Irish coast on 2 July 2007.However, Daly and the gang were foiled when their boat ran out of fuel in rough seas and was shipwrecked off the Irish coast on 2 July 2007.
Three other men - Perry Wharrie, Martin Wanden and Joe Daly - were convicted in Cork, the Irish Republic. A fourth man, Gerard Hagan, was jailed after pleading guilty to being involved in the plot.Three other men - Perry Wharrie, Martin Wanden and Joe Daly - were convicted in Cork, the Irish Republic. A fourth man, Gerard Hagan, was jailed after pleading guilty to being involved in the plot.
'Abused skills''Abused skills'
All men have now been charged for their part in the plotAll men have now been charged for their part in the plot
Last month, John Edney, 57, of Sutton-at-Hone, Kent, who was accused of being part of the plot, was found not guilty of conspiring to supply class A drugs.Last month, John Edney, 57, of Sutton-at-Hone, Kent, who was accused of being part of the plot, was found not guilty of conspiring to supply class A drugs.
Det Insp Grant Johnson, from the Metropolitan Police Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: "Driven by greed, their activities would no doubt have netted them large sums of money had it not been for law enforcement agencies, particularly our Irish colleagues. Det Insp Grant Johnson, from the Met's Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: "Driven by greed, their activities would no doubt have netted them large sums of money had it not been for law enforcement agencies, particularly our Irish colleagues.
"Daly, one of the key ringleaders, was an ex-Met detective, who, once leaving the service, clearly abused the knowledge and skills he gained as a police officer for criminal gain.""Daly, one of the key ringleaders, was an ex-Met detective, who, once leaving the service, clearly abused the knowledge and skills he gained as a police officer for criminal gain."
Daly's 22-year sentence will run consecutively with the eight year sentence he is already serving.Daly's 22-year sentence will run consecutively with the eight year sentence he is already serving.