Man admits involvement in €80m cocaine smuggling plan

A man has admitted being involved in a plot to smuggle €80 million worth of cocaine into the UK, in connection with a seizure from a yacht off the Cork coast.

Stephen Powell (47) from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine following the seizure of around a tonne of the drug on board the yacht Makayabella last month, in an international operation involving the Irish Naval Service and the National Crime Agency.

Powell pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared by video link at Leeds Crown Court today.

Powell’s father John Powell (70) of Silsden, West Yorkshire, Benjamin Mellor, 35, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, and Thomas Britteon (28) of Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, were charged at Court District Court earlier this month with possessing cocaine with intent to import after they were detained on board the yacht.

The luxury yacht was found last month in poor condition some 217 nautical miles off the coast of Ireland on September 23rd.

Powell entered his plea at a brief court hearing today.

He appeared by video link to Wakefield Prison wearing a grey sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his guilty plea.

Judge Peter Collier told him: “Stephen Powell, you have pleaded guilty to this very serious offence and obviously you will be receiving, in due course, a significant custodial sentence.”

Powell will appear for a further hearing before the same court in early December.

PA