Dramatic 45km sea chase in boat full of cocaine results in three arrests

Two Englishmen, Peter Williams (43), Scott Johnston (38) and Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca (33) with an address in Barcelona, Spain, were arrested by border patrol officers on September 13th 2024.

Officers, who spotted their boat on the horizon while carrying out an operation off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall, suspected the boat had drugs on board.

It was suspected that the rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), had collected the drugs from a larger ship at sea.

As authorities approached the boat, it sped off, resulting in a 28-mile chase, during which the crew were spotted throwing packages into the water.

When the RHIB ran aground on Gwynver Beach, Penzance, the three men aboard attempted to flee on foot but were caught when Border Force officers pursued them.

Six large bales containing 230kg of high-purity cocaine, worth €21.5m, were recovered from the sea

Prosecutor Frederick Hookway previously told Truro Crown Court that images discovered on Edwin Tabora Baca’s phone showed eleven bags of cocaine aboard the vessel, meaning at least 150kg of the drug was not recovered by authorities.

The court also heard that the drugs were brought across the Atlantic on a cargo ship from South America, before being dumped into the sea in watertight bales.

The drugs were fitted with GPS tracking for the smaller vessel to locate and recover the drugs.

Four other men, who helped plan and organise the collection of the cocaine, have also been jailed.

Alex Fowlie (35), Bobbie Pearce (29), Michael May (47) and Terry Willis (44) were identified as co-conspirators following a National Crime Agency investigation involving the processing of phone data and CCTV footage.

Fowlie, of Chichester, purchased the boat, and officers uncovered audio messages on his phone detailing further plans to collect drugs at sea just days after the RHIB ran aground.

In one message he advised a contact he could collect up to “one tonne”, claiming that there was “zero f**king risk.”

Pearce, May and Willis’ roles included lying in wait on the Cornish coast on September 13th, where they expected the cocaine would be dropped off to them.

All seven men initially denied any wrongdoing, with Tabora Baca even claiming to be a tourist who had accepted an invitation from the other two men on the boat to go fishing.

Five of the men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Class A drugs.

Terry Willis also pleaded guilty to money laundering and possession of a firearm following the recovery of a revolver and ammunition at his home. Scott Johnston and Michael May pleaded not guilty, but were today found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs, following a two-week trial.

“The NCA leads the UK’s fight to combat the illegal drugs trade, working with partners to protect the public,” NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Barry Vinall, said.

“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 added: "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."