“A GANG of cocaine smugglers have been jailed after they were caught on camera being chased by cops across a popular UK beach. Shocking footage shows three of the seven now jailed criminals fleeing from cops on an inflatable boat which had £18.4m worth of drugs on board. 12 Police were spotted chasing an inflatable”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Shocking footage shows three of the seven now jailed criminals fleeing from cops on an inflatable boat which had £18.4m worth of drugs on board.
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Police were spotted chasing an inflatable boat carrying millions of pounds of cocaine into the UKCredit: National Crime Agency
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Three smugglers on board were seen running as cops chased them on a beach in CornwallCredit: National Crime Agency
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Around £18.4m worth of cocaine were found on board the boat with seven men being arrestedCredit: Unpixs
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Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester, was found responsible of purchasing the rigid-hulled inflatable boat and was jailed for 16 yearsCredit: UnpixsThe smugglers were being chased for 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall before they got to shore and abandoned the vessel.
Moments later they were seen running across a beach in front of stunned sunbathers as police chased them down.
The Border Force agents managed to spread out, creating a fanlike formation, and ensure the drug gang had no means of escape.
Eventually, the police managed to catch the men after a short chase on the shores of Gwynver Beach, Penzance on September 13, 2024.
The three men on the boat were later named as Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca, 33, of Barcelona and Scott Johnston, 38, and Peter Williams, 43 – both of Havant.
They were accused of collecting the drugs haul from a larger ship before trying to bring it into the UK.
During the investigations, it was revealed the trio had abandoned some of the cocaine when on the boat.
They had reportedly tossed it overboard in an attempt to hide how much would be seized.
Six large packages were recovered from the sea – amounting to around 230kg of powder – which specialist analysts identified as high-purity cocaine.
Johnston was handed a 24-year prison sentence while Baca was sentenced to 17 years and seven months.
Williams got the shortest sentence of the three with 16 years and nine months.
Four others a part of the drug gang were arrested and also jailed for their roles in the thwarted plot.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) lead the hunt for accomplices by trawling through CCTV footage and phone conversations.
Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester, was found responsible of purchasing the rigid-hulled inflatable boat.
Michael May, 48, and Bobbie Pearce, 29 – both from Brentwood – and Terry Willis, 44, of Chelmsford were found to have helped organise the collection of the cocaine.
They were believed to have been lying in wait in Penzance waiting for the cocaine to be hand delivered to them.
Willis was jailed for 21 years and eight months, May for 19 years and Pearce for 15 years and four months.
Willis also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and money laundering.
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Scott Johnston was one of three men on the boat and was handed a 24-year prison sentenceCredit: National Crime Agency
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Police found huge packages of cocaine on the boat as the men ran awayCredit: Unpixs
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Tabora Baca was sentenced to 17 years and seven monthsCredit: National Crime Agency
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Peter Williams got the shortest sentence of the three with 16 years and nine monthsCredit: National Crime AgencyAudio messages on Fowlie’s phone even revealed that within days of his co-conspirators being arrested on Gwyner beach, he had began organising another drug collection out at sea.
Despite this Fowler, the final member to learn his fate, was jailed for 16 years.
His sentence means the seven smugglers have been put behind bars for more than a combined 130 years after all were convicted of conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
In a statement, the NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Barry Vinall, singled out Fowler for his role in the smuggling plot.
He said: “Fowlie was a fixer. He purchased the boat used to collect the cocaine, and when officers foiled the group’s plot, Fowlie tried to find new crew to carry out another collection.
“Fowlie and his group were driven by greed but now they’re paying the price of trying to import one of the most harmful illegal drugs.”
Duncan Capps, Senior Director of Border Force Maritime, added: “It is the job of Border Force to protect our border and keep communities safe.
“Our officers were fantastic and displayed incredible skill during the 28-mile pursuit, despite the suspects’ attempts to get rid of evidence.
“Border Force will continue to work alongside the NCA to prevent dangerous drugs reaching our streets and will ensure criminals caught smuggling face the full force of the law.”
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Michael May will serve 19 years behind barsCredit: National Crime Agency
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Bobbie Pearce was sentenced to 15 years and four monthsCredit: National Crime Agency
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Terry Willis was jailed for 21 years and eight monthsCredit: National Crime Agency
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The boat seen on the beach after it was abandoned by three of the smugglersCredit: Unpixs