Drug Baron Andrew Cole Busted with 2 Tonnes of Cocaine on Luxury Yacht
Andrew Cole, 33, from Stockton on Tees, was caught red-handed aboard the luxury yacht Kahu during a major drug bust 80 miles off Plymouth. The National Crime Agency (NCA), backed by Border Force and Australian Federal Police, pulled off a daring interception in international waters north of Guernsey.
Cole: The Key Link in International Drug Smuggling Plot
Cole wasn’t just a crew member. He was the vital connection between a global organised crime syndicate and a UK gang planning to receive the cocaine near the English Channel. Authorities uncovered his role coordinating the handover of a staggering 2,000 kilos of high-purity cocaine, ranging between 60%-80% pure.
His messages on a Samsung phone, recovered from the yacht, revealed the smuggling’s exact details. One text read, “Count is complete. 2000 bits,” confirming the cocaine handover to the Kahu. Cole also communicated with organisers using codenames like Carlos or Rembrandt, promising to “make you proud boss”.
Coast-to-Coast Chase Before Dramatic Arrest
- In May 2021, Cole travelled to Costa Rica and Panama, plotting the smuggling route.
- In July, he flew from Panama to Miami, then Barbados, where the yacht arrived on July 29 from Florida.
- Throughout the Atlantic crossing, Cole managed communications and logistics for the drug transfer.
As the vessel neared UK waters, it was covertly tracked by Border Force’s cutters Searcher and Alert. When Cole and his crew realised they were being tailed, frantic messages to dump phones were sent, but a failed attempt to destroy evidence left a running commentary for the NCA.
Cole Gets 18 Years as Crew Walks Free
At Exeter Crown Court, Cole admitted smuggling Class A drugs and was sentenced to 18 years behind bars. The yacht’s captain and four other crew members were acquitted.
“This was a huge haul of cocaine, which we and our law enforcement partners have prevented coming into the UK drugs market and being sold across UK communities, where it would have fuelled more crime,” said Gavin Heckles, NCA operations manager.
“We thank colleagues from Border Force and Australian Federal Police who were both key in seizing these drugs and the jailing of Andrew Cole.”
