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Kent mechanic denies part in cocaine smuggling plot

Submitted by admin on Thursday, 18 February 2010

A mechanic accused of a conspiracy to supply drugs has denied having anything to do with a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £200m.

John Edney, 57, of Main Road, Sutton-at-Hone, Kent, told the jury at Blackfriars Crown Court: “I don’t hold with drugs in any way”.

It is alleged Mr Edney brought three 4×4 vehicles and insured them in false names for a gang to use.

He denies a charge of conspiring to supply a class A drug, namely cocaine.

The court previously heard that 1,554kg (3,425lb) of the drug was found when a boat sank off the Irish coast.

Bales of cocaine

Prosecutors argue that Mr Edney conspired together with Michael Daly, Alan Wells and others to supply the drug.

Retired Metropolitan Police detective Daly, 49, and Wells, 56, have admitted their part in the conspiracy.

Three other men – Perry Wharrie, Martin Wanden and Joe Daly – were convicted in Cork, Ireland, while a fourth, Gerard Hagan, pleaded guilty.

Martin Heslop, defending, asked Mr Edney: “Were you ever involved in any conspiracy to import cocaine or serious drugs into the UK?”

He replied: “No, not at all”.

Mr Heslop continued: “Did you have any idea at all that they [the vehicles] may be connected to a drug smuggling operation?”

“Absolutely not,” Mr Edney said.

He added: “I don’t hold with drugs in any way. To be involved in any such operation was out of the question.”

The men behind the plot tried to land 62 bales of cocaine using a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), the court previously heard.

But in rough seas the vessel ran out of fuel and began to sink, leaving members of the gang to swim ashore.

The trial continues.