Three appear in court in connection with $650m cocaine haul

Three Britons accused of being involved in an international drugs smuggling ring intercepted off the Irish coast appeared briefly in court today as the start of their trial was adjourned.

Philip Doo and David Mufford, from Devon, and Christopher Wiggins, from Spain’s Costa del Sol, are charged with attempting to import 1.7 tonnes of cocaine - believed to be valued at more than €650m.

The trio were due to go on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court but barristers asked for the case to be put back to the next session so defence teams could continue discussions with State prosecutors.

“Certain communications are ongoing with the State,” said Marjorie Farrelly, senior counsel for Wiggins.

The three men were detained last November after the Navy, gardaí and Customs swooped on the 60ft ocean-going boat Dances With Waves, 170 miles off the west Cork coast.

Seventy-five bales of cocaine were discovered on the vessel which had set sail from the Caribbean a month earlier.

Ms Farrelly’s application was supported by Tim O’Leary SC for Mufford and Donal O’Sullivan BL for Doo, and the State did not object to the adjournment.

Judge Patrick Moran put the case back until April 21.

Doo (aged 52), of Higher Manor Road, Brixham, Devon; Mufford (aged 44), of Clennon Court, Clennon Lane, Torquay, also Devon; and Wiggins (aged 42), of Mirador de Costalita, Estepona, Malaga, have been in custody since their arrest.

They are charged with the same offence under Section 34 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act – possession of drugs with intent to import.

The seizure exceeded a previous record-breaking haul of 1.5 tonnes of cocaine - valued at €440m – which washed up on the Cork coast near Mizen Head in July 2007 after an elaborate trafficking scam fell apart.