Cork cocaine haul: Man pleads guilty in UK court

A English man has today admitted being involved in a plot to smuggle £100m of cocaine into the UK, before being apprehended by the Irish Naval Service.

Stephen Powell (aged 47) from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine following the seizure of around a tonne of the drug on board the yacht Makayabella last month, in an international operation involving the Irish Naval Service and the National Crime Agency.

Powell pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared by video link at Leeds Crown Court.

Powell's father John Powell (aged 70) of Silsden, West Yorkshire, Benjamin Mellor (aged 35) of Bradford, West Yorkshire, and Thomas Britteon (aged 28) of Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, were also charged by Gardaí with possessing cocaine with intent to import after they were detained on board the yacht.

They have appeared at Cork District Court.

A 43-year-old man and a 29-year-old man have also been arrested in connection with the investigation.

The luxury yacht was found last month in poor condition in the Atlantic Ocean, 200 miles off the south west coast of Ireland, while investigators also seized a 25ft motor boat called Sea Breeze, moored in Pwllheli, north Wales.

Powell entered his plea at a brief court hearing.

He appeared by video link to Wakefield Prison wearing a grey sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his guilty plea.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier, told him: "Stephen Powell, you have pleaded guilty to this very serious offence and obviously you will be receiving, in due course, a significant custodial sentence."

Powell will appear for a further hearing before the same court in early December.