Latest news with #Coggins
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins arrested in the Netherlands
He is wanted in the UK on charges relating to smuggling cocaine and heroin Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins has been arrested in the Netherlands. The 60-year-old, who was wanted on suspicion of trafficking drugs to the UK was nabbed by Dutch cops outside a residential property in Zandvoort on Tuesday. It comes after he spent five years on the run. He was taken into custody amid ongoing cooperation between the National Crime Agency (NCA), the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), and the Dutch National Police. Dutch National Police (Getty Images) News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 Coggins, of Huyton, Liverpool, was wanted by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit on charges related to smuggling heroin and cocaine. He appeared before a court in Amsterdam on Wednesday as extradition proceedings began. He is alleged to head up the Huyton Firm - a large-scale organised crime group involved in drug trafficking, blackmail, contract killing and violent crime. Also known as the Cantril Farm Cartel, he runs the gang alongside his brother Vincent Coggins, who was jailed for 28 years last year. The powerful drug gang rose to prominence in Merseyside following the downfall of other gangs, such as the one headed up by the notorious Curtis 'Cocky' Warren. The gang originated in a small village and grew to gain a feared reputation, commanding respect from other crooks. Their downfall came when French authorities hacked EncroChat, an encrypted messaging service used by criminal organisations to conduct their business. 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK,' Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said. 'It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU added: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. 'We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brit wanted for 'drug trafficking' arrested abroad after five year manhunt
Francis Coggins, 60, of Huyton, Liverpool, had been at the centre of a five year manhunt when he was held outside a residential property in the coastal town of Zandvoort on Tuesday A British fugitive wanted for international drug trafficking has been arrested in Holland ending a five-year manhunt. Francis Coggins, 60, was held outside a residential property in the coastal town of Zandvoort on Tuesday by officers from the Dutch National Police. He was taken into custody after ongoing work between the National Crime Agency, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the Dutch National Police. It is understood that he has been wanted for the last five years. Coggins, of Huyton, Liverpool, was wanted by the North West ROCU on a TACA warrant (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) for allegedly smuggling heroin and cocaine. He appeared at court in Amsterdam on Wednesday to begin the process of extradition to the UK and he was remanded to appear again on a date to be confirmed. Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said: 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK. "It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU said: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
'Drug trafficker' Francis Coggins snared in the Netherlands amid National Crime Agency probe
The 60-year-old was detained in the Netherlands. Alleged international drug smuggle r Francis Coggins has been arrested in Europe. He was detained in a Dutch coastal town amid a National Crime Agency probe. The 60-year-old was snared by officers from the Dutch National Police force outside a residential property in Zandvoort yesterday, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. He was taken into custody after ongoing work between the National Crime Agency (NCA), the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and the Dutch National Police. Coggins, of Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, was wanted by the NWROCU on a trade and cooperation agreement warrant for allegedly smuggling heroin and cocaine. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He appeared at court in Amsterdam today to begin the process of extradition to the UK and he was remanded to appear again on a date to be confirmed. Detective superintendent Zoe Russo from the NWROCU said: "This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. "We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you." Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said: " The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK. "It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement." Coggins' brother Vincent, known as "the headmaster" to signify his role at the top of the Huyton Firm organised crime group, was jailed and convicted as part of the NWROCU's probe codenamed "Operation SubZero". Liverpool Echo reports that the arrests of many members of the organised crime syndicate resulted in some of the first EncroChat convictions in the UK.
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
White Hag aims to beat Trump tariffs by shifting some of its production to brewery in US
The White Hag Brewing Company plans to beat US import tariffs by brewing some of its beer within America under licence, with its Co Sligo brewery continuing to supply domestic and other international markets. The company has an agreement with an independent pilot brewery in Milwaukee as it sets up distribution to bars in the US, thanks to word-of-mouth referrals through the Irish pub community. Bob Coggins, a co-founder of White Hag said the move could give the beer business an 'edge over brands there already'. 'This is 101 of going to get around the tariffs,' he said. 'At the moment, some brands have said they are going to stop completely, even though the tariff conversation is constantly in flux.' Ireland's alcohol industry is particularly exposed to tariffs in the US, one of its most lucrative export markets. Irish drink sales to the US were worth €865m in 2024 making up 41pc of the sector's exports, according to Bord Bia. Irish beer exports increased by 2pc in 2024 to reach an estimated €325m. The North American market was worth €65m, up 8pc on the year. Fears over US tariffs have had a stark effect on some Irish alcohol players. Last week, the Sunday Independent reported that the vast majority of distillation in Ireland had been paused, with US tariffs among the leading factors. On the tariffs, Coggins said he was hopeful the EU could secure a trade deal with the US, potentially ending the current 10pc levy Irish beer imports face in America. 'We're all at the mercy of the mad ideas coming out of the US administration at the moment, but I think we will settle back in a place not far from where we were six months ago,' he said. 'Hopefully, we'll end up in a like-for-like situation. In the meantime, it does us no harm to be brewed within the borders.' Coggins said White Hag recently sent a container of 'high-value' beers – such as stouts and sours – across the Atlantic before tariffs kicked in as part of plans to expand into the US market. ADVERTISEMENT In the US, White Hag will brew two of its core beers under licence to service Irish pubs and the general craft beer market. It is sending over brewers and is using hops grown in the US. Its brewery in Ballymote, Co Sligo, will continue serving domestic and other international markets, including France, Italy and the UAE. Brewing in Milwaukee would also allow it to reduce the cost of expanding in the US 'It's similar to Heineken being a Dutch brand but brewing in Cork,' he said. 'We work with an independent pilot brewery in Milwaukee, and they're brewing the beer for us, and we're getting going with distribution.' Beating US tariffs wasn't the only reason for the move by White Hag. Coggins said brewing in Milwaukee would allow it to reduce the cost of expanding in the US and provide fresher beer in a more familiar keg style to American publicans. The entrepreneur said: 'We're reaching out to the Irish bar community. We've had people from all over the States contact us already – just through word of mouth, friends of friends, etc. We're gaining traction through the Irish diaspora'.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Member of gang that murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbell made £500,000 from his terrifying life of criminal violence but only has to pay back £1
A notorious Merseyside gangster has been ordered to repay just one pound of the £500,000 fortune he amassed from his criminal deeds. Paul 'Woody' Woodford, a member of the gang that gunned down nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in 2022, was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison in December 2021 for firearms offences and other misdemeanours. At a proceeds of crime hearing at Manchester crown court involving Woodford, his boss Vincent Coggins - a drug kingpin known as The Headmaster - and co-conspirator Michael Earle, Woodford acknowledged he had benefited to the tune of £499,960.50 from his life of crime. But the court heard that the gangster, represented by Sebastian Winnett, had only £1 available to pay back. 'The available figure is a nominal sum given his circumstances,' Judge John Potter said. 'I come to the view a confiscation order of £1 should be made. There is no time to pay.' He added that Coggins and Earle would appear for a fully contested proceeds of crime hearing on September 12. One of Coggins' most trusted associates, Woodford has convictions dating back 30 years for incidents including scalping a woman with a machete and torturing a man with a hot iron, machetes and knives. As a member of Coggins' European operation, he was part of a heavily-armed gang arrested in Amsterdam. Woodford was also charged with the 2012 murder of Jason Osu, a 31-year-old currency trader who held a pilot's licence, but slashed his own throat midway through the trial and refused to answer questions when giving evidence. He was found not guilty of murder after a seven-week trial and five days of deliberations. Woodford later adopted the EncroChat handle 'Kingwasp', which he used to source and distribute heroin and cocaine shipments for Coggins. The gang headed by Coggins originated in Stockbridge Village, an area of Knowsley in Merseyside, and was involved in the supply of significant amounts of cocaine and heroin across the UK. The group imported much of its illicit cargo through the Port of Liverpool before it was distributed nationwide. It is believed the gang's activities were assisted by port workers who were tasked with watching containers and a corrupt policeman. The gang, which had a reputation for extreme violence, included Thomas Cashman, a hitman for Coggins who was sentenced to life for Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murder. The group's use of encrypted EncroChat phones proved its downfall when the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) gained access to their messages after the platform was hacked by European law enforcement in the early months of 2020. They had planned to exact vengeance for the theft of a £1 million drug haul by a rival gang, but their messages were monitored by detectives and the plan was thwarted. Detective chief inspector Dave Worthington, from the NWROCU's operations team, said: 'These were extremely dangerous men and, had we not come across the serious threats of violence from the Coggins OCG through Operation Venetic, this could have been a very different outcome. 'It's clear that the Coggins OCG thought they were untouchable, and their messages untraceable, but with support from the NCA and Merseyside Police, we were able to bring this criminal enterprise to its knees and prove them wrong. This crime group made substantial amounts of money through their ill-gotten gains. 'The cash they made was moved and transferred via various means to launder it, which subsequently funded their lavish lifestyles.
