The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force intercepted the fishing boat Lily Lola off Cornwall’s north coast, uncovering over a tonne of high-purity cocaine in a £100m cocaine smuggling operation. They stopped the organised crime group’s plan to distribute the drugs across the UK and Europe through swift enforcement action. Four men involved in the smuggling plot have been convicted.

Evidence Reveals Smugglers’ Covert Communications

During the operation, Jon Williams, 46, captained the Lily Lola, which he had purchased for £140,000 two months earlier. Michael Kelly, 45, Jake Marchant, 27, and Patrick Godfrey, 31, joined him and actively took on roles in the drug smuggling plot. Investigators retrieved damning evidence from onboard devices, including text messages with smuggling instructions and coordinates. Godfrey’s phone even contained searches like “how long does it take a ship to leave Peru to UK.”

order Force officers aboard the cutter HMC Valiant, supported by a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), intercepted the Lily Lola. The authorities escorted the vessel to Plymouth Royal Dockyard, seized the cocaine onboard, and analysed it. Investigators also discovered a tracker linked to South America among the cocaine bales, further implicating the crew in the drug smuggling plot.

Sentencing Awaits Following Guilty Verdicts

Kelly and Marchant admitted their guilt early, while a trial convicted Williams and Godfrey after they denied involvement. The £100m cocaine smuggling case marks a significant victory, preventing organised criminals from profiting and disrupting their operation. All four men are scheduled to be sentenced in May. NCA branch commander Derek Evans praised the successful interception, noting the operation’s impact in reducing harm caused by the illegal drugs trade.

Source: National Crime Agency