Massive Scottish Drug Ring Exposed: £76 Million Secrets Unearthed

Police officers arresting and handcuffing a man kneeling.

The elaborate £76 million drug operation led by notorious criminal “The Iceman” James Stevenson has been dismantled by a joint international law enforcement effort.

At a Glance

  • Detectives uncovered £76 million worth of cocaine smuggled in banana boxes from Ecuador to Glasgow.
  • Stevenson was one of the UK’s most wanted men, sentenced to 20 years in prison.
  • The operation included manufacturing millions of etizolam tablets at a Kent factory.
  • The plot was uncovered via the EncroChat network by French law enforcement.

International Drug Operation Uncovered

Authorities in the UK uncovered a sophisticated drug smuggling operation valued at £76 million, orchestrated by James Stevenson, famously dubbed “The Iceman.” Cocaine was smuggled from Ecuador hidden in banana shipments intended for the Glasgow Fruit Market. In coordination, Police Scotland, the National Crime Agency, and other global agencies halted the operation, leading to Stevenson’s arrest in the Netherlands. Stevenson was extradited back to Scotland, where he received a 20-year prison sentence, dismantling his vast international network.

Detectives found 18 shipments of bananas laced with cocaine at the Port of Dover during 2020. The seized cocaine weighed nearly a tonne and had an alarming purity of 73%. Steeped in shadowy business dealings, Stevenson’s connections spanned across Ecuador, Spain, and Glasgow, evidencing an organized and far-reaching criminal network. Additionally, Stevenson’s elaborate operation included spaces for manufacturing etizolam, often found in street Valium.

Significant Arrests and Convictions

Many associated with Stevenson faced justice in this extensive clampdown on organized crime. Fruit market traders David Bilsland and Paul Bowes admitted guilt in connection with attempting to smuggle cocaine and producing etizolam. Stevenson’s stepson, Gerard Carbin, and Ryan McPhee were also implicated in the drug production. Lloyd Cross was yet another conspirator who admitted involvement, all influenced by the “Iceman” and brought under legal prosecution.

The meticulous collaboration among international law enforcement agencies proved crucial. French law enforcement played a vital role by penetrating the EncroChat communications network, shedding light on the coordination between criminals. Efforts such as these demonstrate the global strategy to combat organized crime and thwart potential threats to society.

The Broader Implications

James Stevenson, a long-standing figure in criminal enterprises, previously faced incarceration with his stepson in 2007 for similar activities. His sophisticated and vast operations have highlighted how crime can extend internationally, exploiting legitimate businesses as facades. The seizure of equipment used for illicit drug manufacturing in Rochester further confirmed these findings.

The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the risks and extensive contacts involved in organized crime. Future proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act target confiscating financial gains from Stevenson’s network, ensuring the diminishment of their influence. Law enforcement’s comprehensive actions highlight their unwavering commitment to safeguarding communities from the scourge of drugs.

Sources:

  1. UK’s most wanted who plotted to smuggle £76m of cocaine in bananas jailed for 20 years
  2. Drugs mob behind crime boss Jamie ‘Iceman’ Stevenson’s £100m cocaine plot jailed for 29 years
  3. Scotland’s ‘Tony Soprano’ smuggled cocaine in banana boxes