Bobbie Pearce, 29, and Michael May, 47 are among the seven men convicted following the failed plot that ended in a 28-mile boat chase around Penzance.
On September 13 2024, Pearce and May lay in wait with Terry Willis, 44, of Chelmsford on the Cornish coast for the drugs to be dropped off by their accomplices.
But Border Force officers spotted the rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) on the horizon while carrying out an operation off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall.
The boat was being driven by Peter Williams, 43, Scott Johnston, 38 – both of Havant – and Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca, 33, of Barcelona, Spain.
Officers suspected the boat had drugs on board collected from a larger ship at sea, and tried to intercept the RHIB.
As the officers approached the boat, it sped off and a chase unfolded during which the RHIB’s crew threw packages into the water.
After the RHIB ran aground on Gwynver Beach, Penzance, the men ran off but were quickly caught by Border Force officers who chased them on foot and arrested them.
Six large bales were recovered from the sea, containing around 230kg of powder which specialist analysts identified as high-purity cocaine.
The investigation was referred to National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, who used CCTV footage, call data and phone messages, to identify that Pearce, May, Willis and Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester helped organise the cocaine pick up.
Fowlie’s role included purchasing the boat. Audio messages retrieved from his phone by officers after his arrest revealed he also began organising further at-sea drug collections just days after his co-conspirators were arrested on September 13.
In recordings sent on September 16, Fowlie sent an unidentified contact audio messages advising he could collect up to “one tonne” and claiming that there was “zero f*cking risk”.
All seven men initially denied their crimes with Tabora Baca claiming to be a tourist who had accepted an invitation from two strangers – Williams and Johnston – to go fishing.
However, officers recovered messages from his phone discussing the group’s plans and sharing a photo of the cocaine onboard the RHIB.
Faced with the evidence against them, five of the men later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Class A drugs, including Willis who also pleaded guilty to money laundering and possession of a firearm, relating to a revolver and ammunition found at his home address by NCA officers.
May and Johnston, who pleaded not guilty, were yesterday (June 23) found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs, following a two-week trial.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Barry Vinall, said: “The NCA leads the UK’s fight to combat the illegal drugs trade, working with partners to protect the public.
“This cocaine would have caused really significant harm had it made it onto the streets but thanks to vigilant and determined Border Force officers it will be the drugs that are destroyed, not lives.
“Together, the NCA and Border Force have ensured that seven pivotal drug importers face justice and that organised criminals won’t make the millions in profit they expected to from this haul.”
Duncan Capps, Senior Director of Border Force Maritime said: “It is the job of Border Force to protecting our border and keeping communities safe.
“Our officers were fantastic and displayed incredible skill during the 28-mile pursuit, despite the suspects’ attempts to get rid of evidence.
“Border Force will continue to work alongside the NCA to prevent dangerous drugs reaching our streets and will ensure criminals caught smuggling face the full force of the law.”
All seven men have been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Truro Crown Court on August 1.
