Latest news with #CharlieEastaugh


The Guardian
03-08-2025
- The Guardian
Public urged to help catch gangs bringing drugs on ‘mother ships' to UK coast
Law enforcement agencies have urged people living in coastal communities in the UK to help them catch drug gangs that are using ever more imaginative methods to get vast quantities of cocaine into Britain. They have warned that gangs are favouring a method called 'at-sea drop-offs' (Asdos) in which packages of drugs are released into the ocean from 'mother ships' for smaller vessels to pick up and take into the UK via small coves and harbours. But there is also growing concern the gangs may begin to use more sophisticated techniques such as deploying underwater drones, nicknamed narco submarines, to evade Border Force cutters. The appeal and warnings come as members of a gang involved in an attempt to smuggle £18m of cocaine into the UK using the Asdo method were sentenced at Truro crown court in Cornwall for conspiracy to import class A drugs. The gang included a Hampshire fisher who had fallen on hard times, three Essex men believed to have been aiming to sell the drugs in the south-east of England, and a Colombian man thought to have been acting as security for the South American drug cartel. Three of the men were caught after their boat was chased for almost 30 miles by Border Force officers, while the other four were arrested after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into the wider network. Charlie Eastaugh, the director of Border Force maritime command, said Asdos appeared to be the preferred method of drug smugglers. 'It's a persistent and continuing threat,' he said. Last year, law enforcement agencies in the UK prevented almost 6.5 tonnes of cocaine, with a street value of £520m, from reaching the streets via Asdos. But much more is clearly getting in. It is estimated that people in England, Wales and Scotland consume 117 tonnes of cocaine a year. Eastaugh said Border Force maritime had more than two dozen vessels patrolling, ranging from cutters to rigid-hull inflatable boats and jetskis, and worked with police forces as well as military special forces. 'We have crews out for up to two weeks at one time patrolling around UK territorial waters,' he said. But the jagged nature of the coastline in south-west England means there are myriad spots for smugglers to land undetected. Eastaugh said good relations were being created between agencies and coastal communities through an initiative called Project Kraken. 'Coastal communities and the maritime commercial industry are really key parties in the fight against organised criminality at sea and smuggling. They can help contribute by being the eyes and ears of Border Force Maritime around the UK coastline.' He said the drug importers would innovate. 'We would expect, as we would with any type of criminality, that the wheel will turn and there will be a threat from other modes in the future. 'Something we have seen elsewhere in the world is underwater remotely piloted smuggling attempts - essentially subsea drones. It continues, as with every threat, to be plausible. A more modernised version of smuggling is something we're on the lookout for.' Adam Thompson, the head of drugs threat at the NCA, said the Asdos tended to take place in the south-west approaches off Cornwall but had also been observed in the Irish Sea and North Sea. 'They throw them into the sea wrapped up in waterproof packaging and buoyancy aids. And then a smaller vessel will come out and fish those out and take them to land. That's the methodology that we're seeing used most frequently over the last two years.' He said changes to the way borders are managed during Covid and after Brexit may have prompted the rise of Asdos. 'We've seen a trend for larger loads being put on to these vessels in South America. This is a very good way to offload very significant loads – tonnes at a time typically. You can throw it into the sea, bring it into a little beach. You don't even need a marina.' Thompson said 34 people involved in Asdos had been arrested last year and more than 60 investigations into the method had taken place. He said: 'We've got very good partnerships with Border Force and with maritime agencies around the world. This method relies on container ships coming over from South America on commercial routes. 'We look to understand which ones may have been contaminated with cocaine and focus on those routes which we know are being used.' Sentencing four of the men, Judge James Adkin said: 'This was an international conspiracy to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the UK.' Scott Johnston, 38, of Havant in Hampshire was jailed for 24 years; Michael May, 47, of Brentwood, Essex for 19 years; Terry Willis, 44, of Chelmsford, Essex for 21 years; and Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca, 33, of Barcelona for 17 years and seven months. Three others – Bobbie Pearce, 29, of Brentwood in Essex; Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester in West Sussex; and Peter Williams, 44, of Havant in Hampshire – are to be sentenced later this month.


The Guardian
02-08-2025
- The Guardian
Public urged to help catch gangs bringing drugs on ‘mother ships' to UK coast
Law enforcement agencies have urged people living in coastal communities in the UK to help them catch drug gangs that are using ever more imaginative methods to get vast quantities of cocaine into Britain. They have warned that gangs are favouring a method called 'at-sea drop-offs' (Asdos) in which packages of drugs are released into the ocean from 'mother ships' for smaller vessels to pick up and take into the UK via small coves and harbours. But there is also growing concern the gangs may begin to use more sophisticated techniques such as deploying underwater drones, nicknamed narco submarines, to evade Border Force cutters. The appeal and warnings come as members of a gang involved in an attempt to smuggle £18m of cocaine into the UK using the Asdo method were sentenced at Truro crown court in Cornwall for conspiracy to import class A drugs. The gang included a Hampshire fisher who had fallen on hard times, three Essex men believed to have been aiming to sell the drugs in the south-east of England, and a Colombian man thought to have been acting as security for the South American drug cartel. Three of the men were caught after their boat was chased for almost 30 miles by Border Force officers, while the other four were arrested after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into the wider network. Charlie Eastaugh, the director of Border Force maritime command, said Asdos appeared to be the preferred method of drug smugglers. 'It's a persistent and continuing threat,' he said. Last year, law enforcement agencies in the UK prevented almost 6.5 tonnes of cocaine, with a street value of £520m, from reaching the streets via Asdos. But much more is clearly getting in. It is estimated that people in England, Wales and Scotland consume 117 tonnes of cocaine a year. Eastaugh said Border Force maritime had more than two dozen vessels patrolling, ranging from cutters to rigid-hull inflatable boats and jetskis, and worked with police forces as well as military special forces. 'We have crews out for up to two weeks at one time patrolling around UK territorial waters,' he said. But the jagged nature of the coastline in south-west England means there are myriad spots for smugglers to land undetected. Eastaugh said good relations were being created between agencies and coastal communities through an initiative called Project Kraken. 'Coastal communities and the maritime commercial industry are really key parties in the fight against organised criminality at sea and smuggling. They can help contribute by being the eyes and ears of Border Force Maritime around the UK coastline.' He said the drug importers would innovate. 'We would expect, as we would with any type of criminality, that the wheel will turn and there will be a threat from other modes in the future. 'Something we have seen elsewhere in the world is underwater remotely piloted smuggling attempts - essentially subsea drones. It continues, as with every threat, to be plausible. A more modernised version of smuggling is something we're on the lookout for.' Adam Thompson, the head of drugs threat at the NCA, said the Asdos tended to take place in the south-west approaches off Cornwall but had also been observed in the Irish Sea and North Sea. 'They throw them into the sea wrapped up in waterproof packaging and buoyancy aids. And then a smaller vessel will come out and fish those out and take them to land. That's the methodology that we're seeing used most frequently over the last two years.' He said changes to the way borders are managed during Covid and after Brexit may have prompted the rise of Asdos. 'We've seen a trend for larger loads being put on to these vessels in South America. This is a very good way to offload very significant loads – tonnes at a time typically. You can throw it into the sea, bring it into a little beach. You don't even need a marina.' Thompson said 34 people involved in Asdos had been arrested last year and more than 60 investigations into the method had taken place. He said: 'We've got very good partnerships with Border Force and with maritime agencies around the world. This method relies on container ships coming over from South America on commercial routes. 'We look to understand which ones may have been contaminated with cocaine and focus on those routes which we know are being used.' Sentencing four of the men, Judge James Adkin said: 'This was an international conspiracy to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the UK.' Scott Johnston, 38, of Havant in Hampshire was jailed for 24 years; Michael May, 47, of Brentwood, Essex for 19 years; Terry Willis, 44, of Chelmsford, Essex for 21 years; and Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca, 33, of Barcelona for 17 years and seven months. Three others – Bobbie Pearce, 29, of Brentwood in Essex; Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester in West Sussex; and Peter Williams, 44, of Havant in Hampshire – are to be sentenced later this month.


BBC News
29-06-2025
- BBC News
£96m of cocaine seized from vessel at UK port
Border Force Cocaine with a street value of almost £100m has been seized by Border Force officers in "one of the largest drugs busts of the past decade". The shipment was intercepted earlier this month on a container vessel arriving at London Gateway port from Panama. Border Force officials and staff at the port in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, had to move 37 large containers to locate the 2.4-tonne haul. Worth an estimated £96m, it was the sixth largest cocaine seizure since records began, the Home Office said. Specialist maritime officers intercepted the drugs after an "intelligence-led operation". Border Force said in a statement: "The interception strikes a significant financial and operational blow against the organised crime groups behind its importation and is an example of an intelligence driven outcome to disrupt criminal supply chains." Charlie Eastaugh, the organisation's maritime director, said: "This seizure - one of the largest of its kind - is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of the criminal gangs who threaten our security. "Our message to these criminals is clear. More than ever before, we are using intelligence and international law enforcement co-operation to disrupt and dismantle your operations." He added there were also training programmes across Latin America to help prevent the drugs entering British shores. DPWORLD Government minister Seema Malhotra, said: "Drugs gangs trying to import illegal substances into the UK are a blight on society and we will leave no stone left unturned in our pursuit of organised crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery and death upon Britain's communities." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Border Force Stanford-le-Hope West Thurrock UK Border Agency


See - Sada Elbalad
28-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Over 2 Tons of Cocaine Worth £96 Mln Seized at London Port
Israa Farhan British authorities have announced the seizure of 2.4 metric tons of cocaine at London Gateway port, one of the largest drug interceptions in the country's history. The estimated street value of the narcotics stands at £96 million. According to the UK Home Office, this operation ranks as the sixth-largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The drugs were discovered concealed beneath dozens of shipping containers aboard a vessel arriving from Panama, a known transit hub for international narcotics trafficking. The interdiction was carried out earlier this month by specialist officers from the UK Border Force, who worked in coordination with the port operator to relocate 37 large containers in order to reach the illicit cargo. Authorities emphasized the strategic significance of this interception. Container ships remain a key method used by transnational criminal networks to smuggle cocaine into the United Kingdom. This seizure reflects the growing sophistication of British border security efforts. Charlie Eastaugh, Director of Maritime Operations at UK Border Force, highlighted that the operation exemplifies the agency's proactive stance in combating organized crime. British law enforcement is increasingly leveraging intelligence-sharing and cross-border cooperation to identify and dismantle international drug networks. The United Kingdom remains one of Europe's largest cocaine markets, with cocaine-related fatalities in England and Wales rising by 31% between 2022 and 2023, according to official government data. The National Crime Agency (NCA) continues to warn that the country is a major target for global narcotics traffickers. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean


See - Sada Elbalad
28-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Seizes over 2 Tons of Cocaine Worth £96 Mln at London Port
Israa Farhan British authorities have announced the seizure of 2.4 metric tons of cocaine at London Gateway port, one of the largest drug interceptions in the country's history. The estimated street value of the narcotics stands at £96 million. According to the UK Home Office, this operation ranks as the sixth-largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The drugs were discovered concealed beneath dozens of shipping containers aboard a vessel arriving from Panama, a known transit hub for international narcotics trafficking. The interdiction was carried out earlier this month by specialist officers from the UK Border Force, who worked in coordination with the port operator to relocate 37 large containers in order to reach the illicit cargo. Authorities emphasized the strategic significance of this interception. Container ships remain a key method used by transnational criminal networks to smuggle cocaine into the United Kingdom. This seizure reflects the growing sophistication of British border security efforts. Charlie Eastaugh, Director of Maritime Operations at UK Border Force, highlighted that the operation exemplifies the agency's proactive stance in combating organized crime. British law enforcement is increasingly leveraging intelligence-sharing and cross-border cooperation to identify and dismantle international drug networks. The United Kingdom remains one of Europe's largest cocaine markets, with cocaine-related fatalities in England and Wales rising by 31% between 2022 and 2023, according to official government data. The National Crime Agency (NCA) continues to warn that the country is a major target for global narcotics traffickers. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean