A Co Antrim-based businessman, Steven Brown, is accused of leading a major cocaine smuggling operation across the Irish border to repay debts and service tax liabilities. Prosecutors allege that Brown is at the head of a hierarchical criminal network responsible for importing multi-kilo consignments of cocaine into Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.
A Co Antrim-based businessman is allegedly heading up a major cross-border cocaine smuggling operation to repay £450,000 debts he took on from a criminal associate, the High Court heard today.
He denies nine charges, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and possessing and transferring criminal property due to his suspected top-ranking role in an organised crime gang shifting multi-kilo consignments of drugs from the Republic into Northern Ireland.
Separate pricing structures were put in place to sell the drugs at a profit in Northern Ireland through a network of drivers and lower-level street dealers, it was contended. Based on evidence gathered from mobile phone messages, police claim Brown was at the top of the operation. It was previously disclosed that he is believed to be heavily in debt himself, with detectives believing at some stage an offer was made for him to relinquish control of his Spanish villa.
“The applicant indicated that he is paying that debt off at a rate of £50,000 a month,” counsel said. Mr Justice Huddleston heard Brown has also run up a £208,000 self-assessment tax bill owed to HM Revenue and Custom, while a further £6,500 is due for unpaid rates.
CRIME DRUGS SMUGGLING NORTHERN IRELAND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
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