HM REVENUE AND
CUSTOMS News Release (Ref:NAT 23/07) issued by The Government News
Network on 2 April 2007
BRIAN BRENDON
WRIGHT GUILTY OF COCAINE SMUGGLING
The criminal mastermind behind a multi-million pound drugs gang
was today found guilty of smuggling tonnes of cocaine into the UK,
following an unprecedented 11-year Customs investigation.
Brian Brendon Wright's trial at Woolwich Crown Court marked
the end of a worldwide Customs investigation which has
successfully dismantled the most significant global drugs
trafficking network known to target the UK. Jail terms totalling
over 250 years have already been handed down to 19 people in six
previous trials in the UK and USA.
Three defendants pleaded guilty ahead of the trial. Anni Rowland
played a key role in moving drugs and pleaded guilty to conspiracy
to supply cocaine and money laundering. Brian Coldwell and Gary
Mace both pleaded guilty to money laundering offences.
Today's verdict is the final chapter of a case, codenamed
'Operation Extend,' which has taken Customs officers all
over the world, including Mexico, Venezuela, South Africa, the
Caribbean and Australia.
Roy Clark, Director of Criminal Investigations for HM Revenue
& Customs (HMRC) said:
"Operation Extend has been an investigation without parallel
in UK drugs law enforcement. UK Customs investigators, working
hand-in-hand with their counterparts in the United States, have
dismantled probably the most sophisticated and successful global
cocaine trafficking organisation ever to target the UK.
"This has resulted in successful prosecutions at all levels
of the conspiracy, from the Colombian suppliers, to the
transporters, to the members of the UK distribution network and
ultimately brought the head of that network, Brian Brendon Wright,
to justice.
"It is a fitting tribute to the dedication of the officers
involved that the last major drugs investigation to be carried out
by HMRC should lead to the conviction of such a major criminal figure."
The investigation began in September 1996 when a converted
fishing trawler, the Sea Mist, went off her intended course
towards the South coast of England and arrived in Cork in the
Republic of Ireland. When searched by Irish Customs, 599kg of
cocaine with a street value £80m was found on board, concealed
within a dumb-waiter.
The cargo of cocaine was in fact destined for the UK, and an
organisation headed by Brian Brendon Wright. HM Customs &
Excise mounted a surveillance operation which uncovered a
well-organised and professional outfit shipping tonnes of cocaine
from South America to the UK.
Their method was to bring consignments of up to 600kg of cocaine
on board yachts from South America and the Caribbean. As they
neared the UK coast, the drugs would be transferred at sea to
UK-based yachts which would arouse no suspicion. This is known as
coopering. Between 1996 and 1998 it is believed the Wright
organisation imported at least three tonnes of cocaine in this way.
Following months of covert surveillance, in February 1999 Customs
Officers seized 472kg of cocaine from a lock-up garage in
Leigh-on-Sea and a farm in Laleham, Middlesex. 11 people were
arrested, including Colombian, South African and Brazilian
nationals. Brian Brendon Wright was believed to be in Spain at the
time. However, his homes in Chelsea and Frimley were searched. On
hearing of this, Wright arranged for a private jet to be flown
from Stansted airport to the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain and
take Wright to Bodrum in Turkey. He then travelled to the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus; because the UK does not have an
extradition agreement he was able to live there without fearing arrest.
Wright remained on the run while the rest of his criminal network
went before the courts. Those found guilty included his own son,
Brian Anthony Wright, and former son-in-law Paul Shannon. He was
finally arrested by Spanish police in March 2005, acting on a
European Arrest Warrant issued by HM Customs & Excise.
Key to the prosecution case has been the testimony of four
members of the criminal network who have been jailed in the United
States for their part in this smuggling operation. They testified
against Wright following a grant of Immunity from Prosecution, and
gave vital evidence about the organisation of the UK operations,
and the roles of the many players involved. Two of those
witnesses, Godfried Hoppenbrouwers and Alex de Cubas are each
still serving the 30 year sentences they received for their key
roles running the South American end of the international
smuggling network.
Notes for editors
1. Brian Brendon Wright (date of birth: 13.5.46) was found guilty
of two counts:
* Conspiracy to evade the prohibition and importation of a
controlled drugs imposed by Section 170 (2) of the Customs and
Excise Management Act 1097, contrary to Section 1 (1) of the
Criminal Law Act 1977; and
* Conspiracy to supply drugs, contrary to Section 1 (1) of the
Criminal Law Act 1977.
2. Three people due to stand trial alongside Brian Brendon Wright
pleaded guilty ahead of the trial. (Details of the offences in the
table below.) They are:
* Anni Rowland (dob: 25.6.62), Great Burford, Oxfordshire
* Brian Coldwell (dob: 7.10.37), Notting Hill Gate, London
* Gary Mace (dob 9.7.67), Coldicote Ferm, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire
3. Details of those previously convicted:
R Soares Count 1a, 1b 24 yrs
I Kiernan Count 1a, 1b 20 yrs
P Rodgers Count 1b, 1c 16 yrs
B A Wright Count 1a 16 yrs
P Shannon Count 2c 5 yrs
L Uribe Count 3 2-1/2 yrs (Plea)
K Hanley Count 1a, b, c, 2a,b,c 15 yrs (Plea)
B Fennell Count 1c 10 yrs (Plea)
R Newton Count 5 9 yrs (Plea)
H Van Staden Count 1c 9 years (Plea)
J Ewart Irish Offences 17 yrs
G Hoppenbrouwers US Offences 30 yrs
J Parks US Offences 8 yrs
J Goodrich US Offences 18 yrs
A Deland US Offences 13yrs
A de Cubas US Offences 30 yrs
J Parks US Offences 8 yrs
Anni Rowland Count 2c & 3 3 years 4 months
Brian Coldwell Count 3 One year
Gary Mace Count 3 Pending
1a = 1996 importation
1b = 1997 importation
1c =1998/99
importation
2a = 1996 Conspiracy to supply
2b = 1997
Conspiracy to supply
2c = 1998/99Conspiracy to supply.
3 =
Money laundering
5 = Possession with intent to supply
4. The four witnesses convicted of US offences who testified
against Wright following a grant of Immunity from Prosecution
under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) were
Alex de Cubas, Godfried Hoppenbrouwers, Jim Goodrich and Judith
Parks. Goodrich and Parks have completed their sentences. This
case marks the first-ever use of the power to grant Immunity under SOCPA.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
Customs Confidential
Tel: 0800 59 5000