News

West Wales men in custody after one tonne of cocaine seized from fishing boat

Published

2 years ago

September 15, 2024

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.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

18 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

24 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.