A SENIOR officer claimed it took three days to search close to a tonne of cocaine hidden in a banana box shipment from South America. Michael Miller, 56, gave evidence at the High Court in Glasgow where James Stevenson is accused of masterminding a worldwide drug smuggling ring. Stevenson is said to have directed the trafficking operation which spanned the UK, Spain, Ecuador and the luxury Nurai Island resort in Abu Dhabi.
The 59-year-old and five others appeared in the dock for the start of witness evidence on Monday. READ NEXT: Glasgow man pointed air pistol at other men before swinging it around Prosecutors have listed 14 charges in a seven page indictment of accusations which span between January and September 2020. They include claims Stevenson allegedly ordered a Lloyd Cross, David Bilsland, 67, and un-named others to commit “a serious offence” by importing and supplying cocaine.
It is alleged the class A drug was to be “concealed in deliveries of fruit” destined for the “Glasgow Fruit Market” at an address in city’s Townhead. Dirty money is said to have funded the set-up involving the purchase of equipment, leasing premises, buying cars and registering company directors under fake names for the “Glasgow Fruit Market”. The court heard from Mr Miller who is the senior officer at the National Crime Agency (NCA).
He told jurors that the highest purity of powder cocaine from source that is possible is 89% with hydrochloride adulteration also being added. M.