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02/04/2007
Guilty verdict for drugs baron
One of the UK's most powerful drug smugglers has been found guilty of running an international cocaine smuggling operation.
Brian Wright, 60, was found guilty of conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug and conspiracy to supply drugs, following a two-month case at Woolwich Crown Court.
The court heard how Wright's operation was enormous, masterminding the shipment of cocaine that was worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Luxury yachts were used to import tonnes of cocaine from South America.
The investigation was triggered when the yacht, Sea Mist, was found off Cork in Ireland with nearly 600kg of cocaine on board in 1996.
Wright, who was originally from Ireland but lived in Chelsea, west London, fled to Northern Cyprus in 1999 and was finally arrested in Spain in 2005 and was extradited to Britain.
Prosecutors told the court that Wright, who was a well-known figure in horse-racing circles, used the sport in order to disguise the real source of his wealth.
He was known to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, including comedian Jim Davidson, who was called to testify at the trial.
Sentence is due to be passed tomorrow, following the reading of health reports.
(KMcA/SP)
Brian Wright, 60, was found guilty of conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug and conspiracy to supply drugs, following a two-month case at Woolwich Crown Court.
The court heard how Wright's operation was enormous, masterminding the shipment of cocaine that was worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Luxury yachts were used to import tonnes of cocaine from South America.
The investigation was triggered when the yacht, Sea Mist, was found off Cork in Ireland with nearly 600kg of cocaine on board in 1996.
Wright, who was originally from Ireland but lived in Chelsea, west London, fled to Northern Cyprus in 1999 and was finally arrested in Spain in 2005 and was extradited to Britain.
Prosecutors told the court that Wright, who was a well-known figure in horse-racing circles, used the sport in order to disguise the real source of his wealth.
He was known to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, including comedian Jim Davidson, who was called to testify at the trial.
Sentence is due to be passed tomorrow, following the reading of health reports.
(KMcA/SP)
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