IN what is being described as a major blow to organised crime, authorities have seized approximately one tonne of cocaine from a fishing boat off the coast of Cornwall. The interception, conducted by Border Force officers, has resulted in the arrest and charging of four men, at least two from west Wales, who are now in custody.

The vessel, named Lily Lola, was stopped by Border Force officials off the coast of Newquay on Friday afternoon, 13 September. Onboard, officers discovered a substantial haul of the Class A drug, which represents a significant disruption to the criminal organisation behind the attempted smuggling operation.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is leading the investigation into this high-stakes interception. On Saturday, they confirmed the arrests and subsequent charges against the four men. The individuals have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 16 September.

Two of the men charged are from Swansea, Wales. Jon Paul Williams, aged 46, of St Thomas, Swansea, and Patrick Godfrey, aged 30, of Port Tennant, Swansea, were among those detained. Also charged were Michael Kelly, 45, of Portway, Manchester, and Jake Marchant, 26, who has no fixed address. All four face charges related to the importation of a controlled Class A drug.

A spokesperson for the NCA outlined the operation: “Four men have been charged with drugs offences after Border Force officers intercepted a fishing boat carrying approximately one tonne of cocaine off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall. The men were aboard the vessel when it was stopped by officers on Friday afternoon.”

Derek Evans, branch commander of the NCA, emphasised the significance of this seizure: “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.”

Evans also noted the broader impact of such a large consignment of cocaine entering the country. “Its onward supply would have fuelled exploitation through county lines activity as well as serious violence and knife crime,” he said, adding that the investigation into the importation is ongoing.

This recent incident in Cornwall draws parallels to a similar case in Pembrokeshire several years ago. In September 2019, a fishing boat named the “Blues” was intercepted near the coast of Wales, leading to the seizure of a substantial quantity of cocaine worth around £60 million. The vessel had been monitored as part of a sophisticated operation by law enforcement, culminating in the arrest and conviction of several individuals. The seizure was one of the largest in UK history and highlighted the increasing use of maritime routes by organised crime groups to smuggle drugs into the country. The interception off Pembrokeshire’s coast reminded locals of the persistent threat posed by drug traffickers attempting to exploit the region’s extensive coastline.

The Agency said that this latest successful interception is a testament to the coordinated efforts between the NCA, Border Force, and the Joint Maritime Security Centre, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking and the associated criminal activities it engenders.