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Cocaine trafficking boss guilty Cocaine trafficking boss guilty
(10 minutes later)
A drugs baron has been found guilty of running an international cocaine smuggling empire.A drugs baron has been found guilty of running an international cocaine smuggling empire.
Brian Wright, 60, who lived in Chelsea, west London before fleeing the country, masterminded multi-million pound shipments of the Class A drug. Brian Wright, 60, who lived in Chelsea, west London, before fleeing the country, masterminded multi-million pound shipments of the Class A drug.
The gang used luxury yachts to import the cocaine from Venezuela, via the Caribbean, to the UK, a court heard.The gang used luxury yachts to import the cocaine from Venezuela, via the Caribbean, to the UK, a court heard.
Prosecutors told Woolwich Crown Court Wright used horseracing as a "facade" for his real and illicit income.Prosecutors told Woolwich Crown Court Wright used horseracing as a "facade" for his real and illicit income.
One of the gang's yachts, the Sea Mist, was allegedly discovered carrying almost 600kg of cocaine as it arrived in Cork, Ireland.
Wright, originally from Ireland, fled to Northern Cyprus in 1999. He was arrested in 2005 when he went to Spain.
The drug smuggler was found guilty of conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug and conspiracy to supply drugs.The drug smuggler was found guilty of conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug and conspiracy to supply drugs.
The jury at Woolwich Crown Court deliberated on the two month case for 24 hours and 59 minutes before returning its guilty verdicts. Judge Peter Moss said he would not pass sentence until Tuesday after reading health reports.
The reality will be that he probably dies in jail Jerome Lynch QC Wright's counsel Jerome Lynch QC said: "The reality will be that he probably dies in jail."
Wright listened to the judge ask for any mitigating circumstances, before he stood up to say: "There is no mitigation, Your Honour."
The trial heard Wright's criminal network was enormous, masterminding the shipment of the Class A drug, worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Wright was well-known in horse racing circles and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous - including comedian Jim Davidson, who was called to testify.
A statement by Customs released after the case said the network was "probably the most sophisticated and successful global cocaine trafficking organisation ever to target the UK."
Seven trials
The investigation, codenamed Operation Extend, led officers on a massive trail spanning Ireland, the Caribbean, the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, France, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
An 11-year worldwide investigation saw 19 convictions worldwide, excluding that of Wright.
There were seven trials, one of which lasted 14 months, making it the longest Customs trial yet and at the time, the second longest trial in English criminal history.
The probe was sparked in September 1996, when a yacht named the Sea Mist was discovered off course in Cork, Ireland, carrying 599kg of cocaine with a street value of £80m hidden in the dumb waiter.
Investigations showed the Sea Mist had been destined for the gang in the UK headed by Wright.
Wright, originally from Ireland, fled to Northern Cyprus in 1999. He was arrested in 2005 when he went to Spain.