Three men involved in the attempted smuggling of over half a tonne of cocaine, valued at £42 million, into the UK have been convicted, with two already sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The National Crime Agency (NCA), supported by Humberside Police and Border Force, intercepted the operation in May 2024, disrupting a major drug trafficking network.
Details of the Smuggling Operation
On May 4, NCA officers arrested Daniel Livingstone, 25, outside a hotel in Lelley, East Yorkshire, where he had been staying overnight with two accomplices: Mark Moran, 23, and Didier Tordecilla Reyes, 40, a Colombian national. The trio conspired to smuggle 524 kilograms of cocaine into the UK using a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB).
Earlier that day, Moran transported the RHIB from Norwich to Grimsby using a hire van. Meeting Livingstone and Reyes in Hessle, the group launched the vessel from the Hessle slipway. After a brief trip, Moran and Reyes returned with the cocaine and unloaded it on a beach near Easington caravan park, where Livingstone was waiting with a van.
Police Intervention
NCA officers observed Livingstone signaling to the RHIB with a torch and speaking on his mobile phone before the vessel arrived. After unloading the cocaine, Moran and Reyes abandoned the RHIB on the beach and loaded several bags into Livingstone’s van. They were arrested shortly after, along with Livingstone, who was found with the drugs in his vehicle.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Hull Crown Court:
- Mark Moran, from Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute, was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine on October 28 following an eight-day trial. He was sentenced on December 23 to 15 years in prison.
- Daniel Livingstone, from Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, pleaded guilty on June 5 and was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison.
- Didier Tordecilla Reyes pleaded guilty on July 22 and will be sentenced at a later date.
A fourth man from Argyll and Bute was acquitted by the jury.
NCA Statement
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Alan French highlighted the significance of the operation:
“There’s no doubt these drugs would have been sold into communities around the UK, but working with our partners, we have disrupted this crime group’s offending and made a huge dent in any profits they were due to make.
“We are determined to do all we can to tackle the class A drugs threat and protect the public from the horrific damage it causes to our society.”
A Major Blow to Organised Crime
The interception of the 524-kilogram cocaine haul marks a significant disruption to the supply of class A drugs in the UK. Authorities continue to work with international partners to combat organised crime and reduce the societal harm caused by drug trafficking.
